Conclusion ultrasound (US) of a diffuse changes in the pancreas itself, nothing says. The patient's condition at this conclusion may be, as a very serious and not serious. But more often such a patient does not show any complaints.

The combination of ultrasound findings with the dire state of the patient

When diffuse changes of the pancreas conclusion of US says only that in the pancreas have any uniformly distributed throughout the tissue changes. In acute pancreatitis, the disease begins with the fact that impaired outflow of pancreatic juice, which leads to the development of edema throughout its fabric. It is in the US will be seen as a diffuse tissue changes in the prostate, which in itself is absolutely nothing to tell your doctor.

But if this conclusion is compared with the biochemical analysis of blood and urine content of pancreatic enzymes, as well as with the state of the patient, the doctor immediately becomes clear that the patient's initial stage of acute pancreatitis and it is in urgent need of hospitalization.

Acute pancreatitis - this is one of the most serious diseases, which is accompanied by severe pain and the development of a painful shock. If the patient at this time will not be given medical assistance, under the action of pancreatic juice, which accumulates in the body, it begins the digestion of tissue (necrosis) gland. The patient's condition deteriorate further, it is possible even to his death.

The same thing happens during exacerbation of chronic pancreatitis, but an exacerbation occur not as hard as acute pancreatitis, and in some cases the patient may be treated at home.

Terms of outpatient treatment

If the patient to the ultrasound revealed diffuse changes of the pancreas Diffuse changes of the pancreas - is not a disease, and the data diagnostiches He makes a number of complaints, but overall it is not suffering, in biochemical assays, there are no serious changes, this condition can be regarded as a reduction in pancreatic function. The patient may be sent for further examination in a specialized gastroenterology department of a hospital or outpatient examined to confirm the diagnosis and identify the reasons for the decline of pancreatic function.

Most of these phenomena occur in the course of chronic pancreatitis erased Chronic pancreatitis When the patient is not heavy on the aggravation of not paying attention, but they cause a gradual replacement of pancreatic tissue by connective tissue. Patients may complain of slight pain in the upper abdomen, diarrhea, bloating, which are often mistaken for symptoms of other diseases.

To treat or not

If a patient during an ultrasound examination showed signs of diffuse changes of the pancreas, but he makes no complaints, the doctor usually does not appoint him to additional tests and treatments.

Such a conclusion, ultrasound is often in the elderly or in people with diabetes Diabetes   - These states lead to metabolic disorders. In addition, any disease of the digestive organs (especially the liver and biliary tract), long proceeding diseases of other organs and circulatory disorders (eg, atherosclerosis) can result in such violations.

Sometimes violations of this kind occur in patients young and middle age, that are likely talking about adjourned once an attack of acute pancreatitis, which flowed not so heavy, that it can be remembered.

Diffuse changes of the pancreas in the US, if the patient does not complain - this, in general, a positive conclusion, because it excludes the presence of focal changes. A focal changes, even if the patient is on what not complaining, always require a thorough examination.

The cause of focal changes of the pancreas on ultrasound are tumors, cysts, stones, bleeding - an ultrasound to distinguish one from another is difficult. The main danger, of course, are malignant tumors that are successfully treated in the early stages and virtually untreatable in the later.

Do I need to do ultrasound of the pancreas?

Of course, you need a simple, convenient and painless method for patients with a diagnostic study. Despite the fact that in itself it is nothing said in the analysis of the results of a comprehensive survey of the patient, he can play a decisive role. But reading the conclusion of US, you should always remember that it is not written for the patient and for the physician.

Galina Romanenko

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