[Chronic tropical pancreatitis: a case report]

The purpose of this report is to describe a case of tropical calcific pancreatitis (TCP). This disease is specific to tropical regions and constitutes the main cause of chronic pancreatitis in children worldwide. It can also be observed in young adults (2nd and 3rd decade). Shortage of dietary lipids during childhood has been implicated in the development of TCP and mutation of the SPINK1 gene has been cited as a predisposing genetic factor. The underlying pathophysiology of TCP is the same as chronic calcific pancreatitis (CCP) due to alcohol abuse. The main features are a sex ratio of 1, absence of alcohol consumption, occurrence of childhood diabetes in one third of cases, low incidence of acidoketosis, and presence of macro-calcifications especially in ducts. In 10% of cases TCP is complicated by pancreatic carcinoma occurring at an early age, located mainly in the body and tail of the pancreas, and having a less favorable prognosis than primary cancer. Treatment of patients with TCP is the same as for patients with CCP due to alcohol abuse. Prevention depends on improvement of nutritional status of the population.