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What is Necrotizing Pancreatitis?

H. Colledge
H. Colledge

Necrotizing pancreatitis is a condition which sometimes develops as a complication of acute pancreatitis. The pancreas is a gland in the digestive system. Alcoholism or gallstones may lead to the development of acute pancreatitis, in which the pancreas suddenly becomes inflamed. In some cases, pancreas inflammation is severe and this can lead to areas of tissue in and around the pancreas dying off, in what is known as necrotizing pancreatitis. The areas of necrotic, or dead, tissue may then become infected, and this can be associated with failure of a number of body organs, with fatal consequences.

Inside the digestive system, the function of the pancreas is to produce digestive hormones and juices, as well as the hormone insulin. Excessive consumption of alcohol or gallstones can lead to inflammation, although the mechanism by which gallstones cause pancreatitis is not fully understood. In the case of alcoholism, people may already have long-term, or chronic, pancreatitis, which may suddenly flare up and become worse in an acute attack. Digestive enzymes in pancreatic cells begin to digest the pancreas, and inflammation may spread to other organs, leading to death in the most severe cases. For around a third of people who survive a severe attack of pancreatitis, necrotizing pancreatitis may develop, with necrosis, or death, of areas of the pancreas and surrounding tissues occurring, often followed by infection.

Necrotizing pancreatitis occurs when tissue in and around the pancreas dies off.
Necrotizing pancreatitis occurs when tissue in and around the pancreas dies off.

When an attack of pancreatitis fails to respond to treatment, necrotizing pancreatitis may be suspected. Necrotizing pancreatitis symptoms could include abdominal pain and tenderness and fever. The pancreas may be enlarged and it may be possible to feel it in the upper abdomen. A computerized tomography, or CT, scan may reveal areas full of fluid inside the gland. Samples may be taken from the pancreas using a fine needle attached to a syringe to determine whether necrosis and bacteria are present.

Gallstones can sometimes lead to acute pancreatitis.
Gallstones can sometimes lead to acute pancreatitis.

Necrotizing pancreatitis treatments vary depending on whether the necrotic tissue has become infected. Where no infection is present, patients are monitored closely and antibiotics may be given as a preventive measure. If necrotic areas of the pancreas have already been infected, surgery is necessary.

Surgical treatment involves a procedure known as necrosectomy, in which dead tissue is cut away, fluid is drained and the diseased area is washed out. Necrotizing pancreatitis is a serious condition, and even with appropriate treatment only around two-thirds of patients are expected to survive. The outlook is better in cases where infection has not occurred.

Discussion Comments

anon1003646

I know someone in the hospital with this. The doctor told him he’s not a candidate for surgery. He has everything listed above and was in severe pain until they gave him morphine.

stoneMason

Pancreatitis and necrosis of the pancreas is one of the most difficult and confusing disorders in my opinion. Symptoms of pancreatitis are very similar to gastro-intestinal diseases and so it takes a long time for doctors to diagnose it. My husband was diagnosed after years of diarrhea, fatigue and bloating.

And even after diagnosis, treatment has been less than satisfactory. He started off with anti-inflammatory medications which made his symptoms worse. Enzyme supplementation helped a little bit but it was definitely not a cure.

Now, he has been told that he has necrotizing pancreatitis and has to have surgery. We are so frustrated.

burcidi

@simrin-- I'm not a doctor but my aunt had pancreatic necrosis. She had surgery and the dead parts of the pancreas were removed.

The main problem that she's experiencing after surgery is diabetes. Her pancreas is barely producing any insulin now and so she has to use insulin injections. So necrotizing pancreatitis made her a type 1 diabetic.

She also has some digestion and metabolic issues because the pancreas plays a role in these as well.

SteamLouis

I know that the pancreas is important for many functions in the body. What happens after necrotizing pancreatitis if it doesn't cause death? What kind of complications arise?

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    • Necrotizing pancreatitis occurs when tissue in and around the pancreas dies off.
      By: CLIPAREA.com
      Necrotizing pancreatitis occurs when tissue in and around the pancreas dies off.
    • Gallstones can sometimes lead to acute pancreatitis.
      By: designua
      Gallstones can sometimes lead to acute pancreatitis.
    • The pancreas gland aids in digestion and produces insulin.
      By: pixdesign123
      The pancreas gland aids in digestion and produces insulin.
    • An ultrasound can be used to detect pancreatic conditions.
      By: acherst
      An ultrasound can be used to detect pancreatic conditions.
    • A CT scan may be useful in diagnosing necrotizing pancreatitis.
      By: Tyler Olson
      A CT scan may be useful in diagnosing necrotizing pancreatitis.
    • Excessive drinking may trigger acute pancreatitis.
      By: KoMa
      Excessive drinking may trigger acute pancreatitis.
    • Symptoms of necrotizing pancreatitis may include fever.
      By: JackF
      Symptoms of necrotizing pancreatitis may include fever.
    • Symptoms of pancreatitis may include severe stomach pain.
      By: Photographee.eu
      Symptoms of pancreatitis may include severe stomach pain.
    • Pancreatitis may cause nausea and vomiting in some individuals.
      By: Piotr Marcinski
      Pancreatitis may cause nausea and vomiting in some individuals.