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Gall stones and chronic pancreatitis: the black box in between

¹ Department of Gastroenterology, Shandong University Qilu Hospital, Shandong Province, China
² Department of Gastroenterology, Shandong University School of Clinical Medicine, Shandong Qianfoshan Hospital, Shandong Province, China

Correspondence to:
Correspondence to:
Dr M-X Yan
Department of Gastroenterology, Shandong University School of Clinical Medicine, Shandong Qianfoshan Hospital, 250014, 66 Jingshi Road, Jinan, Shandong Province, China; milsonyan{at}163.com

The relation between gall stones and chronic pancreatitis is uncertain; there are differing opinions on this issue. Firstly, gall stones are the most common reason for acute pancreatitis, but it cannot cause chronic pancreatitis. Secondly, a connection between gall stones and chronic inflammation of the pancreas might exist. Numerous studies or investigations have shown that changes associated with chronic pancreatitis are common in gallstone patients. Although it seems that gall stones might be a cause of chronic pancreatitis according to these findings, clinical and experimental studies are still needed for confirmation, and further studies are required to determine the mechanisms involved.

Abbreviations: SO, sphincter of Oddi; CBD, common bile duct; CCK, cholecystokinin; GACP, gallstone associated chronic pancreatitis; ERCP, endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography

Keywords: gall stone; cholelithiasis; chronic pancreatitis; pathogenesis