Diffuse changes in parenchyma of the pancreas, detected by ultrasound (US), can be observed in different diseases, and only a doctor, on the basis of a comprehensive survey and examination of the patient, analysis of its complaints may establish a definitive diagnosis.

Parenchymatous and hollow organs of the abdominal cavity

All the internal organs are divided into parenchymal and hollow. Parenchymal organs are filled within the parenchyma, that is the main fabric. These organs are, for example, pancreas and liver, located in the abdomen. The main tissue in the pancreas is a glandular tissue, it is divided into segments connective tissue septa and covered the same capsule. The functions of the pancreas, liver and biliary tract are inextricably linked, as these bodies have a common excretory duct, through which the output of pancreatic juice and bile. Therefore, any violations of the liver affect the state of the pancreas and vice versa.

By the hollow organs of the abdominal cavity includes the esophagus, stomach, intestines, gallbladder.

How is ultrasound of the pancreas

Ultrasound of the pancreas and adjacent organs, especially the liver and biliary tract, is fairly simple, safe for the patient, but at the same time informative method of research. Ultrasound is usually held in the morning on an empty stomach (twelve hours after a meal). Sometimes flatulence research is being done on the eve of enema (on the border of the fabric - the air there is a complete reflection of ultrasonic signals). To improve the visibility of the pancreas directly to the study of patients sometimes ask to drink one or two glasses of water.

The study is usually performed with the patient lying on his back with a raised head end. On the skin smeared with a special paste or liquid paraffin to improve the contact between the sensor and the skin.

What can be seen on ultrasound

Unaltered pancreas has the shape of a comma, a horseshoe or harness. Fabric sonogram on her uniform, dense contours, density, it is little different from the surrounding tissue. Iron or part of pulses passing over her large blood vessels.

On the basis of US doctor patient it may have an idea of ​​the location of these bodies, their relationships, and the presence in them of a pathological process, to know the depth and extent.

It has been established that the presence of pancreatic parenchyma lesions in a certain way affect the value of the absorption coefficient of ultrasonic radiation, which decreases tissue edema and increased as a result of filling (infiltration) of cellular elements, proliferation of connective tissue or fatty degeneration. It is also proved that the cancerous tumors have higher absorption coefficient of ultrasound energy that distinguishes them from benign tumors.

As changes occur parenchyma

Diffuse changes in parenchyma of the pancreas often develop at different metabolic and degenerative diseases of the body, which lead to the replacement of parenchymal fat or connective tissue.

Often diffuse parenchymal changes of the pancreas observed in the elderly, patients with diabetes Diabetes , In various diseases of the cardiovascular system associated with impaired blood flow in the pancreas. Diffuse changes in parenchyma of the pancreas can also cause liver disease Liver disease: when the natural filter faltering   and biliary tract, gastrointestinal tract, as well as long-occurring infectious-inflammatory diseases of any internal organs, which eventually may lead to metabolic disorders.

Young people and middle-aged people are also often detected diffuse parenchymal changes of the pancreas. Most often they are the result of suffering a non-severe acute pancreatitis, which patients themselves sometimes do not remember, however, he called the replacement of the pancreatic parenchyma tissue connective tissue.

As far as diffuse changes of pancreatic parenchyma reflected in its function, and whether the patient treatment determined by the attending physician based on the patient's complaints, his story about how the illness, the data of objective inspection and correlation of all this data further investigation, including US data.

Galina Romanenko

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