| [ Summary ] |
New criteria for the clinical diagnosis of chronic pancreatitis were proposed by the Japanese Society of Gastroenterology in 1995. From the viewpoint of the clinician the problems with these new criteria are discussed in comparison with the old criteria. Chronic pancreatitis can be diagnosed as definite, probable or possible chronic pancreatitis according to the new criteria. Though these criteria are restricted to application to patients such as those having abdominal pain or discomfort, diagnostic criteria are based on severe abnormalities on US, CT or ERCP. Therefore, there are many controversial points. Etiologic factors and the staging of this lesion should be taken into consideration in making the correct diagnosis. Special types of chronic inflammation such as diffuse narrowing of the main pancreatic duct on ERCP or tumor forming pancreatic lesions were adopted as special features of chronic pancreatitis and these new pancreatic lesions should be elucidated in the near future. |