The pancreas is a parenchymal organ that is located in the left hypochondrium at the level of the first lumbar vertebrae. It consists of a head, body and tail. In front of the gland is the stomach, behind is the aorta, inferior vena cava and portal vein, and on the left is the left kidney. The excretory duct, connecting with the common bile, flows into the duodenum. There is also an additional move, which independently flows into this gut.
The pancreas is a complex tubular glandular formation and has special cells - islets of Langerhans that secrete insulin.
The pancreas performs some important functions in the body. One of them is the production of insulin, which regulates carbohydrate metabolism. In particular, a huge role is given to the regulation of blood glucose and its accumulation in the form of glycogen in the liver. The second significant function is the production of an alkaline reaction of juice containing trypsin, lipase, amylase. All these enzymes are directly involved in digestion, breaking down proteins to amino acids, fats to glycerol and fatty acids, carbohydrates to maltose. How to check the pancreas and its functional activity, you can learn more in the diagnostic methods.
Pathological processes in the gland, such as inflammation or swelling (cancer of the gland), necrosis, as well as a mechanical obstruction in the duct, can cause impaired gland function. This affects mainly the digestion of fats that are not absorbed in the body. With damage to the islets of Largenhans, type 1 diabetes mellitus develops.
How is the pancreas checked?
To make a diagnosis, the doctor needs to know the patient's complaints. The main one is pain, which is localized in the epigastric region. It can be paroxysmal, manifests itself more often after eating and radiates to the left hypochondrium, the scapula. This symptom is characteristic of necrosis, chronic pancreatitis, cancer and inflammation of the gland. The intensity of the pain decreases in a sitting position with the body tilted forward.
The alternation of diarrhea and constipation is also one of the symptoms of pancreatic diseases. Fecal matter has a putrid odor and a large amount of fat.
One of the clearest examples of pancreatic disease symptoms is jaundice. Depending on the specific disease, the color of the skin and sclera can vary from light yellow to yellow with an earthy tint.
In diabetes, the first symptoms will be intense thirst, hunger, and polyuria.
How to check the pancreas and its functions
Palpation is only relevant if a significant tumor or cyst is detected. From laboratory diagnostic methods, the determination of the amount of enzymes secreted by the gland, the study of feces and urine, biochemical and general blood tests, and ultrasound of the gland are used.
If pancreatitis is suspected, a probe check of the amount of enzymes is done. A reduced content of enzymes may indicate the presence of any mechanical barrier to their release into the duodenum. Such an obstruction may be a stone in the bile duct or a tumor of the pancreas.
How is the pancreas checked when taking stool and urine tests? A urinalysis is done to detect amylase. Its presence indicates the acute stage of the process. In the analysis of feces, the level of undigested food and fatty acids is revealed, which can indicate a deficiency of pancreatic enzymes.
A general blood test will show if there is an inflammatory process in the gland. A biochemical analysis will tell about the level of the enzyme amylase, cholesterol (which is an indirect sign of the presence of diabetes), glucose (indicates the state of carbohydrate metabolism) and globulin.
Ultrasound of the pancreas will allow you to visualize its structure and the presence or absence of cysts, tumors. Normally, the echogenicity of the pancreas should be similar to the echogenicity of neighboring organs (spleen, liver). With an ultrasound of the pancreas, you can find out the sizes of the main components: normal for the tail - 35 mm, for the head - 32 mm, for the body - 21 mm. The contours of the gland should be clear, even, and the parenchyma should not have any changes.
Magnetic resonance imaging will help more accurately say about the increase in the walls or parenchyma, the presence or absence of cysts, tumors, since using special devices it is possible to obtain a layered image. For this type of study, before starting the procedure, it is necessary to introduce a contrast medium. Computer-assisted magnetic resonance imaging can detect changes in 97% of cases and is the most accurate and informative research method.
An X-ray contrast study will determine the narrowing or expansion of the excretory duct of the pancreas.
If any of the symptoms is detected, you should immediately consult a doctor for help in the diagnosis and treatment of established pathology.