The Bottom Line: “This review begins with a background review of the current epidemiology of idiopathic pancreatitis prior to discussion of various etiologies. Etiologies of medications, infections, toxins, autoimmune disorders, vascular causes, and anatomic and functional causes are included.”“Recent new laboratory and technological advances have been able to shred the enigmatic veils of IP to a point wherein with extensive evaluation it is possible to reveal the etiology in 79%-80% of patients previously labeled as having “idiopathic pancreatitis”. (Lee)
“To arrive at the label of recurrent undiagnosed pancreatitis, a history, physical exam, routine laboratory investigations, chest radiograph, abdominal ultrasound, and or computed tomography must fail to find the etiology of pancreatitis. Although sludge may be picked up on transabdominal ultrasound, the low sensitivity precludes exclusion of diagnosis of microlithiasis. ES: Endoscopic sphincterotomy; TIP: True idiopathic pancreatitis; EUS: Endoscopic ultrasound; CT: Computed tomography; URSO: Ursodeoxycholic acid.” (Lee)
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The Bottom Line 