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Pancreas shrinkage following recurrent acute pancreatitis: an MRI study

  • Hepatobiliary-Pancreas
  • Published:
European Radiology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Objective

Transition from the first attack of acute pancreatitis (AP) to chronic pancreatitis (CP) via recurrent AP is common. Total pancreas volume (TPV) and pancreas diameters are often reduced in advanced CP but have never been studied after AP. The objective of this study was to investigate pancreas size after clinical resolution of AP and its association with the number of AP attacks.

Methods

Individuals with a history of AP were grouped based on the number of attacks (1, 2, ≥ 3 attacks). Healthy individuals were also recruited. All participants underwent magnetic resonance imaging, from which TPV and pancreas diameters (across the head, body, and tail) were measured independently by two raters in a blinded fashion. Generalised additive models (including age, sex, body mass index, and glycated haemoglobin levels) were used.

Results

A total of 123 participants were studied. Total pancreas volume and tail diameter were significantly reduced in both unadjusted (TPV (p = 0.036), tail diameter (p = 0.009)) and adjusted (TPV (p = 0.026), tail diameter (p = 0.034)) models in individuals with ≥ 3 attacks, but not with 1 or 2 attacks, compared with healthy individuals. Head and body diameters did not differ significantly.

Conclusions

Reduced TPV and tail diameter characterise individuals after ≥ 3 attacks of AP and may represent one of the earliest irreversible morphological changes in individuals after AP. A high-risk population for transition to CP might include individuals with at least 3 attacks of AP whereas those with less than 3 attacks might be at a low risk.

Key Points

• A significant reduction in total pancreas volume was demonstrated in individuals after 3 or more attacks of acute pancreatitis (without conventional signs of chronic pancreatitis).

• Pancreas tail diameter, but not head or body diameter, was reduced in individuals after 3 or more attacks of acute pancreatitis (without conventional signs of chronic pancreatitis).

• The above findings were independent of age, sex, body mass index, and glycated haemoglobin levels.

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Abbreviations

AP:

Acute pancreatitis

AUC:

Area under the curve

BMI:

Body mass index

CI:

Confidence interval

CP:

Chronic pancreatitis

CRP:

C-reactive protein

GAM:

Generalised additive model

HbA1c:

Glycated haemoglobin

ICC:

Intra-class correlation coefficient

IQR:

Interquartile range

MR:

Magnetic resonance

TPV:

Total pancreas volume

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Acknowledgements

This study was part of the Clinical and epidemiOlogical inveStigations in Metabolism, nutritiOn, and pancreatic diseaseS (COSMOS) program.

Funding

COSMOS is supported, in part, by the Royal Society of New Zealand (Rutherford Discovery Fellowship to Associate Professor Max Petrov).

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Medicine, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand

    Steve V. DeSouza, Sunitha Priya, Jaelim Cho, Ruma G. Singh & Maxim S. Petrov

  2. Auckland City Hospital, Room 12.085A, Level 12, Auckland, 1023, New Zealand

    Maxim S. Petrov

Authors
  1. Steve V. DeSouza
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  2. Sunitha Priya
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  3. Jaelim Cho
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  4. Ruma G. Singh
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  5. Maxim S. Petrov
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Maxim S. Petrov.

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Guarantor

The scientific guarantor of this publication is Associate Professor Max Petrov, MD, MPH, PhD.

Conflict of interest

The authors of this manuscript declare no relationships with any companies, whose products or services may be related to the subject matter of the article.

Statistics and biometry

Two of the authors have significant statistical expertise.

Informed consent

Written informed consent was obtained from all participants in this study.

Ethical approval

Health and Disability Ethics Committee approval was obtained.

Methodology

• prospective

• cross-sectional study

• performed at one institution

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DeSouza, S.V., Priya, S., Cho, J. et al. Pancreas shrinkage following recurrent acute pancreatitis: an MRI study. Eur Radiol 29, 3746–3756 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00330-019-06126-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00330-019-06126-7

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