It is a diagnostic feature of chronic pancreatitis even in the absence of the clinical signs and symptoms.
Along with hereditary pancreatitis, cystic fibrosis accounts for most of the pancreatic calcifications in children. Cystic fibrosis is an autosomal recessive disease affecting one in 3000 children in the United States. The most common finding on CT is fatty replacement of the pancreas. Intraductal calcifications occur in a minority of patients and are generally limited to patients with advanced pancreatic fibrosis. These fine granular calcifications occur in the smaller pancreatic duct radicals [ 4 ] (Fig. 3A, 3B). The radiographic appearance is generally that of numerous irregular small calcifications throughout the pancreas (Fig. 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D). The head of the pancreas is usually involved more prominently than the tail. The degree of calcification appears to parallel the course of the disease [ 2 ]. Pancreas calcification (symptom description): For a medical symptom description of 'Pancreas calcification', the following symptom information may be relevant to the symptoms: Pancreas symptoms (type of symptom). However, note that other causes of the symptom 'Pancreas calcification' may be possible.  Chronic calcific pancreatitis is the most common cause of pancreatic calcification world wide. The characteristic pathological changes are well known. The ducts become obstructed by proteinaceous plugs that can eventually accumulate calcium carbonate. This obstruction results in ductal ectasia and periductal fibrosis. It is suspected to be due to, pancreatic carcinoma developing in a pancreas with underlying chronic calcific pancreatitis or calcification develop in the setting of chronic pancreatitis from an obstructing ductal adenocarcinoma. The discovery of pancreatic calcifications has long been used in the diagnosis of pancreatic disease, and for many years imaging of the pancreas was largely limited to the radiographic identification of these calcifications. The radiographic appearance is generally that of numerous irregular small calcifications throughout the pancreas (Fig. 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D). The head of the pancreas is usually involved more prominently than the tail. The degree of calcification appears to parallel the course of the disease [ 2 ]. Chronic pancreatitis is characterized by progressive pancreatic damage that eventually leads to impairment of both exocrine and endocrine functions of the pancreas. The most common cause of chronic pancreatitis in Western societies is alcohol abuse. Nonenhanced axial CT scan through the pancreas shows granular calcification in the pancreas. Chronic pancreatitis. Enhanced axial CT scan through the pancreas shows a low-attenuating mass at the junction of the head and body of the pancreas due to focal chronic noncalcif Hello, Causes of pancreatic calcification include: - Chronic alcoholic pancreatitis: is the most common cause of pancreatic calcifications in the United States predominantly affecting the head of the pancreas.  The qualitative demonstration of pancreatic calcification was, however, not an indicator of severe, decompensated exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (50% false-positive results). It is concluded that pancreatic calcification is not necessarily an indicator of severe exocrine pancreatic insufficiency, and vice versa.  X Ray-Pancreatic calcification. Traditionally pancreatic calcification have been largely associated with chronic calcific pancreatitis from alcohol abuse (90% of time). Although alcohol abuse remains the predominant cause of pancreatic calcification, many other causes also deserve attention. It is suspected to be due to, pancreatic carcinoma developing in a pancreas with underlying chronic calcific pancreatitis or calcification develop in the setting of chronic pancreatitis from an obstructing ductal adenocarcinoma. Pancreatic calcification is a diagnostic feature of chronic pancreatitis even in the absence of the clinical signs and symptoms. Pancreatic calcification is seen on radiographs in about 30-50% of patients with chronic pancreatitis in adults. CT scan of abdomen showed a dilated pancreatic duct and calcification in the pancreas and gallstones (Fig. ​(Fig.2).2). A diagnosis of chronic recurrent pancreatitis with gall stones made and patient provided supportive medical therapy that ameliorated her symptoms.
http://www.ajronline.org/doi/full/10.2214/ajr.178.1.1780079 http://www.rightdiagnosis.com/symptom/pancreas-calcification.htm http://www.ratnayake.me/resources/radiology/xray-pancreaticcalcification http://www.ajronline.org/doi/full/10.2214/ajr.178.1.1780079 http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/371772-overview http://www.doctorslounge.com/gastroenterology/forums/backup/topic-25642.html http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/3943692 http://www.ratnayake.me/resources/radiology/xray-pancreaticcalcification http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3417982/
what is pancreatic calcification