A patient with chronic pancreatitis may be classified based on the diameter of the main pancreatic duct.
The main pancreatic duct is evaluated along its entire length. The duct diameter in early pancreatitis may be different from that seen later in the course of the disease.
Duct Diameter
Significance
4 to 5 mm
normal duct diameter in the adult
> 7 mm
large duct pancreatitis
<= 3 mm
small duct pancreatitis
Most patients with diffuse chronic pancreatitis will develop the large duct type over time.
A small percent of patients will develop small duct disease if there is extensive fibrosis and scarring around the duct.
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