[Chronic pancreatitis]

Chronic pancreatitis is considered a progressive damage of the anatomic structure of the pancreas. Alcoholism and diseases of the bile tract are to be considered in the first place among the many etiologic factors. The pathogenetic principle is an intrapancreatic activation of enzymes combined with autodigestion. The leading symptome is abdominal pain. Besides laboratory tests and X-ray examination the main methods of diagnosis are the examination of endocrine and exocrine function of the pancreas, endoscopic-radiological cholangio-pancreaticography (ERCP) and sonography. More than half the patients with chronic pancreatitis can be treated satisfactory by a diet poor in fat, the abstinence of alcohol and the substitution of enzymes.