The pancreas as a site of granulomatous inflammation in Crohn's disease

Gastroenterology. 1995 Apr;108(4):1246-9. doi: 10.1016/0016-5085(95)90226-0.

Abstract

Several reports on the occurrence of pancreatic dysfunction complicating Crohn's disease have been published during the past few years. Nevertheless, the pathogenesis of these disorders remains controversial. In this report, we describe a patient presenting with extrahepatic cholestasis and a mass in the head of the pancreas. Histological examination showed a granulomatous inflammation caused by Crohn's disease involving the stomach, the duodenum, and the head of the pancreas, clearly showing that the pancreas can also be a localization of Crohn's disease. Granulomatous inflammation could be an important factor in the pathogenesis of pancreatic dysfunction occurring in association with Crohn's disease.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Cholestasis / etiology
  • Common Bile Duct Diseases / etiology
  • Crohn Disease / complications
  • Crohn Disease / pathology*
  • Duodenal Diseases / complications
  • Duodenal Diseases / pathology
  • Female
  • Granuloma / complications
  • Granuloma / pathology*
  • Humans
  • Pancreas / pathology*
  • Pancreatitis / complications
  • Pancreatitis / pathology*
  • Stomach Diseases / complications
  • Stomach Diseases / pathology