Hereditary pancreatitis in a Chinese family

In a Chinese family with hereditary pancreatitis, two members are proven to have chronic pancreatitis. The propositus, a 31-year-old man, had epigastric pain since the age of 18. Multiple calcifications in the region of the pancreas were seen on plain film of the abdomen, ultrasonography, computed tomography, and endoscopic retrograde pancreatography. Pancreatolithotomy and side-to-side pancreatojejunostomy gave symptomatic improvement. His 60-year-old mother also had pancreatic calcifications in addition to diabetes. Known causes of secondary pancreatitis, such as hyperlipidemia, hyperparathyroidism, and amino aciduria, were ruled out in both patients.