[Chronic pancreatitis]

Abstract

New insights in the pathogenesis, classification and the identification of novel risk factors and novel mutations involved in pancreas divisum and in idiopathic pancreatitis have been introduced. Despite novel diagnosis methods, the identification of early pancreatitis, of pancreatitis with minimal morphological changes and the differential diagnosis between chronic pancreatitis and pancreatic carcinoma remain challenges. Treatment of pain associated with pancreatitis remains also difficult; evidence for endoscopic and surgical approaches is still missing. These new discoveries in pathogenesis, etiology and diagnosis methods did not yet lead to improved diagnosis and treatment of chronic pancreatitis.