Evidence of pancreatic neuropathy and neuropathic pain in hereditary chronic pancreatitis

Abstract

Increased neural density and neural hypertrophy are characteristic features of pancreatic neuropathy in chronic pancreatitis. Here, we present the extraordinary case of prominent pancreatic neuropathy in a 21-year-old female patient with hereditary chronic pancreatitis and intractable pain who underwent total pancreatectomy. The histopathological analysis demonstrated remnant pancreatic tissue which was only composed of prominent intrapancreatic nerves and fibrosis, without any visible remaining functional pancreatic parenchyma. These histological alterations, including nerve hypertrophy and increased neural density, are known for different aetiologies of chronic pancreatitis, e.g. alcoholic, idiopathic and tropic pancreatitis. However, this is the first report of a patient with hereditary chronic pancreatitis demonstrating the characteristic features of pancreatic neuropathy and neuropathic pain.

Keywords: Chronic pancreatitis; Hereditary pancreatitis; Neuropathic pain; Neuropathy; Neuroplasticity.