Abstract:

Objective To evaluate the clinical characteristics of children with chronic pancreatitis caused by genetic and structural abnormalities and the clinical efficacy of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). Methods The clinical data of 3 children with chronic pancreatitis treated with ERCP from July to October in 2020 were retrospectively analyzed. Results There were 3 children (2 boys and 1 girl) with chronic pancreatitis. One patient was 11 years old and the other two were 12 years old. The main clinical symptoms were chronic abdominal pain without manifestation of pancreatic secretion insufficiency. Two patients were caused by gene variation, which were SPINK1 and LPL gene variation respectively. One patient was caused by structural abnormality, and the pancreatic duct was bifurcated in the body of the pancreas, which was considered as congenital abnormal development of the pancreatic duct. Three children were treated with ERCP after conventional treatment failed. By removing the stones, cleaning the pancreatic duct, placing stents, improving drainage and relieving the pressure of the pancreatic duct, the trypsin levels in 2 patients were restored to normal and the abdominal pain was relieved. The trypsin levels were increased in 1 patient after operation and returned to normal 3 days later. Conclusions ERCP is safe and effective in diagnosis and treatment of childhood chronic pancreatitis caused by genetic or structural abnormalities.

Key words: chronic pancreatitis, genetic variation, abnormal anatomical structure of pancreas, endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography, child