Chronic pancreatitis physical examination
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Chronic pancreatitis Microchapters |
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American Pancreatic Association Practice Guidelines |
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Risk calculators and risk factors for Chronic pancreatitis physical examination |
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Iqra Qamar M.D.[2]
Overview
Patients with chronic pancreatitis may assume a characteristic position in an attempt to relieve their abdominal pain such as lying on the left side, flexing the spine, drawing the knees up toward the chest. Patients with steatorrhea or advanced disease may present as loss of subcutaneous fat, temporal wasting and sunken supraclavicular fossa. Skin findings may include jaundice, pallor and bruises.
Physical Examination
Appearance of the Patient
- Patients with acute on chronic pancreatitis may assume a characteristic position in an attempt to relieve their abdominal pain:
- Lying on the left side
- Flexing the spine
- Drawing the knees up toward the chest
- Patients with steatorrhea or advanced disease may present as
- Loss of subcutaneous fat
- Temporal wasting
- Sunken supraclavicular fossa
- Other physical signs of malnutrition
Skin
Abdomen
- A palpable abdominal mass in the epigastrium