Stones in the pancreas is a pathology that is known in medicine as “pancreolithiasis”. It is worth noting that this disease is quite rare. Nevertheless, no one is immune from its development. That is why today many people are interested in additional information about what are the causes of this disease, what symptoms it manifests itself.
More about the problem
Stones in the
pancreas can have different sizes and shapes. In most cases, such formations are oval, but also calcifications of irregular shape are often found. Most often, such stones are formed in the additional ducts or in their branches. On the other hand, the formation of solid structures can also be observed in the parenchyma of the pancreas itself.
As for the chemical composition, the main such stones are phosphate or carbonate salts of calcium. In addition, compounds of aluminum, magnesium, as well as some substances of organic origin may be present in such formations.
The main causes of deposits
To date, scientists have not yet been able to discover all the possible causes of the development of such a disease. However, some risk factors are still highlighted:
- Stones in the pancreas are often formed against the background of inflammatory diseases, including duodenitis and cholecystitis. In addition, this pathology is often associated with gallstone disease.
- Risk factors can also include any pathological processes in the abdominal cavity, which can impede the outflow of pancreatic juice, including the presence of cysts, tumors, edema, inflammation, etc.
- An important role in the development of this disease is played by hormonal disorders. In particular, the formation of stones is often associated with disorders of the parathyroid glands, which lead to impaired calcium metabolism in the body.
- Changes in the chemical properties of pancreatic secretions due to certain infectious diseases. For example, pancreolithiasis often occurs on the background of syphilis.
- Bad habits, including alcohol abuse, smoking, etc.
- Improper nutrition.
How are stones formed?
Today, many patients are interested in questions about how exactly a stone is formed in the pancreatic duct. In fact, this process is quite lengthy. First, under the influence of various factors, the juice secreted by the pancreas becomes more concentrated and gradually thickens. Over time, an insoluble protein mass forms in the lumen of the duct.
In the future, such a protein clot becomes the site of deposition of various inorganic components, in particular, calcium salts. As the disease develops, the chemical composition, and, consequently, the physical properties of the clot changes. The stone clogs the duct, which leads to the accumulation and stagnation of pancreatic juice - this increases the risk of developing infectious inflammation.
Pancreatic stones: symptoms
It is immediately worth noting that the clinical picture in this case directly depends on the size of such neoplasms and their location. So what kind of disorders cause stones in the pancreas? Symptoms in this case are paroxysmal pains of a different nature. In fact, pain can occur under the influence of various factors, for example, against the background of stress or with errors in nutrition.
The pain can be either dull or sharp, colicky. By the way, that is why often pancreolithiasis is confused with gallstone disease. Quite often, during a pain attack, the patient feels severe nausea, which often ends with vomiting. Some complain of pain in the epigastric region, although it can give off in the lower back or in the area of the shoulder blades.
Sometimes calcifications clog the bile ducts, which leads to the development of obstructive jaundice - patients can observe yellowness of the skin and mucous membranes. And bile impurities may be present in the vomit.
Stones in the pancreas often lead to disruption of the entire organ, which is accompanied by sharp changes in blood sugar. Such disorders, as a rule, disappear with an attack. However, the lack of treatment can lead to the gradual development of diabetes. Pancreatic complications include inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis). In any case, this disease requires careful diagnosis and proper treatment.
Basic diagnostic methods
Unfortunately, to date, the process of identifying such a disease is often fraught with some difficulties, since the clinical picture of pancreolithiasis resembles some other diseases of the gastrointestinal tract.
To begin with, the doctor must collect an anamnesis, get acquainted with the main complaints of the patient, and also conduct an initial examination. Based on the existing violations, the specialist prescribes further studies. Naturally, the patient is required to take blood and urine samples. In addition, laboratory testing of feces is extremely important - often fat droplets are present in the samples, as well as small stones containing calcium salts. An ultrasound of the abdominal cavity is performed.
However, the most informative is the abdominal x-ray, which allows not only to determine the presence of stones, but also to determine their size, number and location. In the most severe cases, computed tomography or endoscopic examination of the affected organ is performed.
Stone in the pancreas: treatment with conservative methods
After establishing an accurate diagnosis, the doctor will prescribe the appropriate drugs. What therapy does a stone in the pancreas require? Treatment depends primarily on the number and size of stones, as well as on the condition of the patient. In some cases, the use of special drugs that dissolve such formations is appropriate. But such tools can only cope with small stones.
When the body is depleted, patients are prescribed vitamins and glucose. The pain syndrome is stopped with painkillers, and with inflammation, respectively, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are used.
Is it possible to remove stones in the pancreas using proper nutrition? Diet, of course, is an integral part of treatment. In particular, spices, spicy foods, fatty and fried foods, simple carbohydrates (sweets), and alcohol should be excluded from the diet.
Surgical Therapies
Unfortunately, far from all cases it is possible to solve the problem in conservative ways. For example, the presence of large stones, depletion of the body, developing pancreatic insufficiency, or chronic inflammation are indications for surgery.
How to remove stones in the pancreas? The operation can be classic - the lesions are removed through an incision in the abdominal wall or push them into the lumen of the small intestine. But today, endoscopic procedures are becoming more and more popular, in which the stones are dissolved using a special apparatus equipped with fiber optic. Such an operation does not require a large incision and is much less often accompanied by complications (for example, infection).