Causes of enlarged head of the pancreas in adults - Doctors - Vladivostok

The pancreas acts as a converter of energy from food into simple substances perceived by the intestines. It is this organ that produces hormones to normalize blood sugar levels and promote normal digestion. Due to external or internal reasons, the gland fails, while increasing in size.

The fact that the entire organ is enlarged is not so dangerous, unlike the case when only the head of the pancreas (PG) is enlarged: the causes and correct therapy are prescribed exclusively by a specialist based on the results of a detailed examination of the patient.

What is the pancreas needed for?

In the human body, the pancreas performs several vital tasks at once:

Digestion of food - pancreatic juice (pancreatic juice) is an important component of digestive enzymes. It is thanks to it that the breakdown of lipids (proteins) into amino acids becomes possible.
Transport or humoral - connecting with broken down substances, pancreatic juice helps them reach their destination. In addition, depending on the condition of the body, the secretion of pancreatic juice is self-limited, thereby ensuring a gentle mode of operation of the pancreas.
Endocrine - Langerhans-Sobolev cells, which make up the islet apparatus, secrete enzymes and hormones into the blood that support the normal functioning of all organs. In particular, it produces the hormone insulin, which helps the absorption of sugar and reduces the amount of glucose in the blood.
Secretion - includes three subfunctions at once:

Exocrine - secretion of pancreatic juice directly into the cavity of the duodenum;
Incretory – regulation of the amount of hormones in the blood and in the body as a whole;
Intrasecretory – production of necessary hormones.

Causes of local enlargement of the pancreas tail

In addition to the above, the reasons for a significant increase in the size of the pancreas tail include:

cyst (single or multiple),
lipoma (local accumulation or diffuse adipose tissue),
hemangioma (formation from blood vessels),
fibroma (replacement with connective tissue),
insulinomas are tumors from the cells of the islets of Langerhans.

A cyst or pseudocyst is often asymptomatic. A person may not have any pain, he may not experience any negative sensations. Often formations are detected as a finding on sonography when visiting for another reason.

Focal changes manifest themselves with active enlargement. There are:

dyspepsia,
asthenic manifestations in the form of severe weakness, fatigue, headache, malaise.

This occurs when the size of the pseudocyst reaches more than 5 cm (cases have been described when it reached 40 cm). An ordinary cyst, even at this size, does not cause any clinical symptoms. Only with polycystic disease, when cysts affect not only the tail of the pancreas, but also neighboring organs (and this may be a congenital pathology), do complaints appear.

Since the bulk of the islets of Langerhans are located in the tail (they significantly exceed the number of acini present there that produce pancreatic juice), the pathology and, accordingly, the enlargement of the pancreas depends on the damage to these structures. Insulomas develop - tumors from certain types of islet cells, localized mainly in the tail of the pancreas:

insulinoma,
glucagonoma,
gastrinoma,
somatostatinoma.

Insulinomas produce significant amounts of insulin, a hormone that lowers blood glucose. If it is present, not only a locally enlarged tail is detected, but also a sharply reduced glucose in the blood. The pathology has clinical manifestations that make it possible to suspect it. These are the signs of hypoglycemia:

weakness,
hyperhidrosis,
dizziness,
irritability,
cardiopalmus,
hypoglycemic coma with a sharp drop in blood glucose levels.

Glucagonoma causes diabetes mellitus and can become malignant. Glucagon breaks down glycogen in the muscles and liver and causes blood sugar to rise.

Gastrinoma produces gastrin. This leads to the formation of ulcerative defects in the mucous membrane of the stomach and duodenum, resistant to therapy. Gastrinoma can cause Zollinger-Ellison syndrome, which causes multiple ulcers and diarrhea. It is the most common malignant (70%) endocrine tumor of the pancreas.

Somatostatinoma is rare, quickly metastasizes with diffuse enlargement of the tail, and then the entire pancreas and nearby organs (in 74%). This is a genetic breakdown. There are no specific manifestations due to the prevalence of metastases: cholelithiasis, diabetes mellitus, diarrhea with rapid dehydration and weight loss, and anemia develop.

Enlarged pancreas - symptoms

Symptoms of an enlarged pancreas can be very varied, depending on what exactly caused the disease. There are cases where the disease was asymptomatic for several years.

In most cases, enlargement of the organ leads to pain of varying intensity. Most often the pain is in the upper abdomen, sometimes radiating to the arm or lower back. During this period, the temperature may rise slightly.

If the symptoms do not disappear for a significant period of time, and the temperature rises higher and higher every day, this may indicate pancreatic cancer.

In addition, with lesions of this organ, a complete picture of symptoms is present, as with food poisoning. Namely:

Pain in the abdomen;
Nausea, with occasional vomiting;
Loss of appetite;
Loose stools, sometimes with various impurities;
Bitterness in the mouth.

One way or another, if even one of these signs is present, you must contact the nearest medical facility and undergo an appropriate examination.

Symptoms

Enlargement of the pancreas in a child and an adult occurs individually. In some cases, the pathology may not show any symptoms for quite a long time. In such situations, the disorder is diagnosed completely by accident during instrumental examinations to identify a completely different disease or for preventive purposes.

Most often, this organ enlarges due to an inflammatory process occurring in it, which is why the disease has pronounced symptoms. The very first clinical manifestation is pain, which can be acute or aching. The location of the pain is the upper abdomen. Often the pain radiates to the lower back or left arm.

If the head of the pancreas is enlarged, then the main symptoms, in addition to pain, are considered to be stool upset, which is expressed in the form of diarrhea. The severity of such manifestations is determined by the proximity of the affected organ to the duodenum.

The pancreas and liver are two interconnected organs, which is why when one becomes ill, the other suffers. With this disorder, signs of liver damage can be considered:

attacks of nausea, which almost always end in vomiting;
bitter belching;
the appearance of a bitter taste in the mouth;
profuse diarrhea;
decreased appetite;
change in the shade of the skin and mucous membranes. Often the jaundice is mild in nature.

Clinical signs that a child’s pancreas is enlarged will be somewhat different:

constant nausea, but vomiting is rare;
increased sweating;
pale skin;
heaviness and discomfort in the stomach;
feeling of pain behind the ribs;
weakness and increased fatigue;
intense headache and dizziness;
significant increase in temperature;
complete lack of appetite.

The pancreas and liver are enlarged in an adult: reasons

This combination may indicate that a person has developed acute pancreatitis. This disease is accompanied by an enlargement of the pancreas due to the loss of normal functionality of part of the tissue and, as a result, increased load on another part.

If the liver is enlarged, it means that the body has already used up all its resources and the organ can no longer cope with the flow of toxic substances that it needs to filter out. If the doctor does not pay attention to this and does not provide appropriate assistance, there is a high probability of developing pathological changes in the parenchyma and blood vessels supplying the liver with blood.

Also, the cause of simultaneous enlargement of the pancreas and liver may be type 2 diabetes mellitus, which developed against the background of chronic pancreatitis. As a result, fat begins to be deposited in the organs, forming a cyst and destroying nearby cells.

Currently reading: How to treat the pancreas with diabetes

Prevention

There are no specifically formulated preventive measures for this disorder. People need to adhere to general rules:

lead a healthy and active lifestyle;
follow dietary recommendations;
take medications only as prescribed by a clinician;
promptly treat those diseases that can lead to enlargement of the pancreas.

In addition, adults and children are recommended to undergo examinations by a gastroenterologist several times a year.

An enlarged pancreas can indicate very dangerous changes in the body, but diagnosing this pathology right away is almost impossible. The pancreas is hidden deep in the abdominal cavity; upon palpation it is impossible to detect an enlargement, and symptoms sometimes do not appear until the last minute. Why does the gland enlarge, what diagnostic methods will help recognize the problem and how to choose the right treatment?

Enlarged pancreas in a child

In most cases, the enlargement of individual parts of the pancreas in a child is associated with its natural development. One part of an organ may grow faster than the rest. There is no need to be afraid of this phenomenon; soon the sizes will normalize on their own.

However, it still won’t hurt to conduct an examination, because an enlarged organ can mean the development of a serious disease. Laboratory and instrumental research will help make a more accurate diagnosis and prescribe treatment.

The most common causes of enlargement of all parts of the pancreas are the following:

Ulcer of the mucous membrane;
Closed injury of abdominal organs;
Exposure to toxic substances;
Irreversible autoimmune process;
Acute or chronic inflammation;
Cystic fibrosis;
Disruption of the normal functioning of the duodenum;
Violation in organ development.

If only one part of the organ is enlarged, this may mean the development of such phenomena as:

True or false cyst;
Benign or malignant tumors;
Abscess and suppuration;
Pancreatitis;
Blockage of organ ducts.

A timely diagnosis will help to completely cure or at least improve the child’s condition as much as possible.

What does organ enlargement in an adult indicate?

The pancreas is designed in such a way that two reasons can contribute to its enlargement:

inflammation (in such cases the organ always swells);
compensation for deficiency.

Trauma to the abdominal cavity can cause an enlarged pancreas.

Complete enlargement of the pancreas in adult patients occurs with the development of an acute (sometimes chronic) form of pancreatitis. As a rule, the organ changes in size during the period of exacerbation of the disease. There are other reasons for an enlarged pancreas, including:

blockage of the duct with microlite;
cystic fibrosis;
drinking alcohol in large quantities;
serious abdominal injuries;
infections (eg influenza, hepatitis);
abnormal development of the organ and its ducts;
use of certain medications;
increased amount of calcium;
dyskinesia;
inflammation of the duodenum;
ulcers;
entry of the contents of the duodenum into one of the ducts of the organ;
poor blood supply;
changes in blood vessels (can occur as a result of atherosclerosis, unintentional ligation during surgery, or compression by a neoplasm developing in the gastrointestinal tract).

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The head of the pancreas is enlarged - what does this mean?

Most often, the size of the head of the pancreas is influenced by heredity. Oddly enough, such pathological changes in the organ can be transmitted from mother to child, but they do not pose a danger.

However, often the cause of the pathology can be acquired - for example, after a blood transfusion. Thus, the hepatitis virus, influenza and some other infections could be introduced into the body.
Sometimes this phenomenon is caused by disturbances in the functioning of the endocrine system, which causes various malfunctions in all human organs.
Also, a pseudocyst, a cavity in the organ filled with fluid, can lead to an enlargement of the head of the pancreas. In the worst case scenario, it may indicate the development of pancreatic cancer.
Intoxication after food or drug poisoning is rare, but the possibility of such an event cannot be ruled out.
Abdominal injury or ulcer that manifested itself in the postoperative period.
Exacerbation of local pancreatitis is another reason for the enlargement of the head of the pancreas.
Chronic immune disorders can often be accompanied by tumors of various organs.
Stones in the ducts that prevent pancreatic juice from exiting normally.

In any case, the disease must be treated in a clinical setting. Self-medication can lead to a deterioration in the patient's condition and even death.

Manifestation of gland disease

The reasons that create favorable conditions for the development of the disease are subjective and objective. Objective reasons are expressed in genetic inheritance, anomalies of the organ from birth, and concomitant pathologies of the gastrointestinal tract. Subjective nature in our lifestyle:

abundant fatty foods accompanied by overeating;
uncontrolled drinking and smoking;
evening tamping of the stomach, and daytime snacks, unbalanced nutrition;
pills taken unnecessarily and prescribed to oneself, i.e. their indiscriminate use;
stress, insomnia, sedentary lifestyle.

The reason for the rejuvenation of the disease is the quality of food, saturated with harmful additives: dyes, stabilizers, etc., but so beloved by young people:

In these cases, the most real causes of the disease are the development of pancreatitis.

Diffuse enlargement of the pancreas

Diffuse enlargement of the pancreas can be diagnosed using the results of an ultrasound examination. This means that the density of the organ is too high or too low, causing the device to record a deviation in echogenicity. The phenomenon can occur in any part of the pancreas or in the entire organ at once.

A diffuse increase with increasing density is caused by the formation of deposits, as well as certain diseases - such as fibrosis and lipomatosis. If a decrease in density is detected, the patient will most likely be diagnosed with pancreatitis.

Further research may require additional tests and examinations, during which a more accurate diagnosis will be made.

Reasons for total organ enlargement

This enlargement of the pancreas can be caused by the following reasons:

developmental features (organ shape);
cystic fibrosis;
inflammatory processes (chronic, acute);
infections (influenza viruses, sepsis);
poisoning of the body with alcoholic beverages or medications (in such cases, liver enlargement also occurs);
abdominal trauma;
peptic ulcer disease, inflammatory processes of the duodenum, etc.

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Diagnostics

The general practitioner may detect an enlarged pancreas during palpation of the abdominal cavity. During palpation, compactions are detected in the area of the diseased organ. It should be noted that pancreatitis cannot be detected using this method, since the tissues of the organ do not thicken.

In order to confirm an enlarged pancreas, the patient is prescribed examinations such as ultrasound, stool analysis, and general or biochemical blood tests. After them, we can say with confidence that the work of the pancreas is disrupted. In rare cases, X-ray and endoscopic examination, tomography or cholangiopanreatography are prescribed.

Currently reading: Consequences and life after removal of the pancreas: forecasts and reviews

Diagnosis and treatment

Enlargements of the pancreas of a reactive nature can be detected during a routine examination by a doctor, without the use of any instrumental methods. However, the diagnosis of reactive disorders is complicated by the fact that changes can affect only a certain part of the organ.

This pathological process can have different causes, so the doctor must determine the factor that provoked such a disorder. This is the only way to completely cure the disease.

Reactive changes in the pancreas require the following diagnostic measures:

ultrasonography;
stool analysis;
general or biochemical analysis of blood and urine.

In some cases, additional examination methods may be required, for example:

X-ray examination of the abdominal cavity;
endoscopic resonance cholangiopancreatography;
CT scan;
magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography.

The reactive pathological process in the pancreas can be eliminated with the help of certain medications. Most often, the doctor prescribes:

proton pump inhibitors (Omez, Omeprazole);
hormonal drugs;
agents that block histamine receptors;
enzyme preparations.

In order to eliminate unpleasant symptoms, antipyretic, antiemetic drugs and analgesics may be prescribed. The most effective drugs in the fight against pain are Ibuprofen, Ketanov, Nurofen and Ketorol. To reduce the temperature, Citramon or Paracetamol is used. Cerucal, Itopride and Trimebutin help stop vomiting.

The main treatment of the disease is to completely eliminate the provoking factor. For example, if the pathological process was caused by the development of an abscess or acute pancreatitis, the disease can be treated either conservatively or through surgery. Symptomatic treatment can be used to eliminate unpleasant symptoms.

Treatment of such a disease must be accompanied by a certain diet prescribed by a doctor. Most often, diet No. 5 is prescribed, which is based on excluding fatty, smoked and spicy foods, as well as sweets and starchy foods from the diet.

While following this diet, you can eat the following foods:

lean meat and fish;
dairy products (preferably low-fat);
fresh vegetables and fruits;
stale bread and crackers;
any porridge with water;
weak tea without sugar.

It is prohibited to consume foods that can cause increased gas formation in the intestines and increase appetite.

Dishes with cabbage and meat broths are prohibited. When following a diet, it is necessary to limit as much as possible the amount of milk, fresh flour products, sausage, nuts and beans consumed.

Eating this way helps reduce the stress of intensive treatment or surgery. Do not forget that treatment should be carried out by a specialist, therefore, in order to reduce the risk of complications, you should seek help from a doctor.

Treatment

To treat an enlarged pancreas, both medications and traditional medicine are used, and in especially severe cases, surgical intervention is used.

Drugs for treatment

Drug treatment is prescribed by the doctor, depending on what disease was diagnosed in the patient and what remedy he needs at the moment:

Painkillers - reduce pain and help avoid shock during the acute stage of pancreatic diseases. Most often, various antispasmodics are used, such as No-Shpa, Baralgin, Papaverine and Drotaverine. These drugs can be prescribed either as tablets (if the patient can tolerate the pain or the organ damage is not too severe) or as injections. Analgesics are less commonly prescribed - Aspirin or Paracetamol, but it should be borne in mind that they negatively affect the condition of the pancreas and can cause complications. During hospital treatment, the patient is prescribed H2-blockers Ranitidine and Famotidine. They are available by prescription and are strictly prohibited from being used at home. Additionally, in order to restore the patient’s vitality, anticholinergic and antihistamine drugs such as Platiphylline, Atropine and Diphenhydramine are prescribed.

To prevent irritation of the mucous membranes of the duodenum with hydrochloric acid, which cannot be neutralized in a diseased pancreas, and to prevent the development of peptic ulcers, antacid medications are prescribed. The most popular are Almagel and Phosphalugel. In parallel with them, drugs are prescribed that reduce the production of hydrochloric acid - Omez and Contraloc. The drugs Gastrozol, Proseptin, Ocid, Ranitidine, Famotidine, Acidex, Zoran, Gasterogen, Pepsidin and many others have a similar effect. Also, the patient often needs proton pump blockers, such as Lanzoprazole. In addition, doctors may prescribe regular baking soda in small dosages. If, as a result of the disease, the pancreas shows extreme activity, drugs are prescribed that prevent the release of enzymes - Contrical and Aprotinin.

Enzyme preparations are prescribed only in cases of high degree of inhibition of pancreatic activity. The most popular of them is Pancreatin. Sometimes analogs may be prescribed - Mezim, Festal, Creon or Panzinorm. If the patient is allergic to these drugs, you can take less effective herbal drugs - Unienzyme, Somilaza, Pepfiz.

If the disease is severe, with suppuration in the abdominal cavity, Ampicillin is prescribed.

Surgical intervention

Despite the fact that this method of treatment is prescribed extremely rarely, it is resorted to if drug therapy does not produce the desired effect or the disease is too advanced. The procedure is quite complicated and expensive. There are four types of surgical interventions aimed at restoring normal activity of the pancreas:

Necrectomy – removal of dead and rotting tissue;
Resection – removal of the affected part of the organ;
Total pancreatectomy – complete removal of the pancreas;
Drainage (piercing) of abscesses and cysts.

Alternative medicine

An enlarged pancreas is no joke. It is strictly prohibited to treat it with folk remedies without going to a medical institution.

Methods for diagnosing the disease

It is impossible to determine the enlargement of the pancreas during an objective examination: due to the retroperitoneal location, the iron cannot be palpated. The screening method is ultrasound examination (US). It is used to determine:

dimensions;
clarity of boundaries;
echogenicity (density) of tissues - increased or decreased;
presence of formations;
expansion of the common duct.

If necessary, the following is carried out:

X-ray examination;
CT (computed tomography) with the introduction of a contrast agent;
endoscopic resonance cholangiopancreatography;
magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography.

Additionally, EGD (esophagofibrogastroduodenoscopy) is prescribed to study the condition of the stomach and duodenal bulb and pH-metry to determine the acidity of gastric juice.

Laboratory research methods include blood tests:

general clinical;
for sugar;
stress tests with carbohydrate breakfast, insulin;
amylase;
insulin during a spontaneous attack of insulinoma;
glucagon;
gastrin on an empty stomach.

All studies are recommended to be done only as prescribed by a specialist. Their volume necessary to verify the diagnosis is determined by the doctor. He also analyzes what the test results may mean and, if necessary, prescribes medications that can be used to treat the identified pathology.

Doctor Komarovsky's opinion

According to the famous doctor Evgeniy Olegovich Komarovsky, host of the “Doctor Komarovsky School” program, if a child is suspected of having a pancreatic disease, he should immediately consult a doctor and undergo the necessary examinations in order to identify the danger and take timely measures. If the suspicions are not justified, but the organ is still enlarged, then this is a natural deviation caused by the development of the body. It is enough to eat right and soon the pancreas itself will return to normal.

Currently reading: Description and possible causes of reactive changes in the pancreas

Causes of pathology

In normal condition, the pancreas in an adult should weigh approximately 80 g. If these parameters are significantly increased, there is most likely an inflammatory process in the organ caused by various factors.

The most common cause of the pathology is the advanced stage of acute pancreatitis. Sometimes an enlarged pancreas develops in chronic pancreatitis. In this case, the organ becomes larger in size. This disease is accompanied by an enlargement of not only the tail, but also the head of the pancreas.

Many different factors can provoke organ enlargement. The most common causes of pathology are:

mechanical damage to the abdominal cavity;
blockage of organ ducts;
the presence of infectious diseases of various etiologies (intestinal infections, hepatitis);
multiple diseases of viral origin;
long-term use of certain medications;
autoimmune processes in the body;
difficulty in blood flow to the head of the organ;
inflammatory processes in other internal organs;
excess intake of calcium into the body;
intoxication of various origins.

Young children are rarely susceptible to such disorders, but this disease can also be diagnosed in them. In some cases, enlargement of the pancreas in a child or in adults is caused by genetic disorders. For example, some people have a horseshoe-shaped or ring-shaped gland.

If the organ increases significantly, changes in its activity begin. Any substances produced by the gland have increased viscosity.

The pancreas in a child or adult can enlarge either completely or locally. In this case, an enlarged tail of the pancreas is observed, the head of the organ is not affected by changes. However, it can also be the other way around: when the head of the pancreas enlarges, but the tail remains in a normal state.

An enlarged tail of the organ can be observed in the presence of the following factors:

the presence of a false cyst;
suppuration in one of the areas of the gland;
formation of adenoma of a cystic nature;
blockage of an organ duct;
development of a malignant neoplasm.

Features of nutrition with an enlarged pancreas and diet

For diseases of the pancreas, split, five or six meals a day with a limited amount of salt and spices are recommended.

Strictly prohibited:

Fatty meat and fish dishes;
Smoked sausages;
Rich soups with strong broth;
Mushroom dishes;
Legumes;
Pickled and pickled vegetables;
Hot sauces;
Strong coffee, tea and chocolate;
Carbonated drinks.

The method of cooking is of great importance: for example, the same chicken breast or leg can be baked in foil with dill and vegetables, or wrapped in a baking sleeve and steamed. When the acute period has passed, you can diversify your diet with stewed meat and vegetables.

The following are welcome in dietary nutrition:

All kinds of puree soups;
Liquid porridges;
Poultry dishes;
Boiled and baked vegetables;
Omelettes;
Souffle.

Light drinks that do not irritate the digestive system are allowed:

Weak tea;
Berry compote with the addition of apples;
Various jelly.

All this applies to dietary table No. 5.

The temperature of the food is no less important: it should be slightly warm, but not hot or cold.

Characteristics of the gland

The pancreas is located behind the stomach, in the region of the 1st and 2nd sections of the spine.
Approximately 6-9 centimeters above the navel.
The shape is oblong, up to 23 centimeters long.
Weight up to 115 gr.
The size of the pancreas can vary individually for each person. Adjustments also occur with age-related changes.
They are conventionally divided into three sections: head, body and tail.
A structural feature is the division of tissues into small capsules (acini). Each capsule is equipped with a small excretory duct and produces enzymes.
It has an extensive circulatory system.

Prognosis and prevention

Pancreatic diseases are not a death sentence. Any disease, even oncology, can be cured if it is caught at an early stage. But even if the organ cannot be restored, it doesn’t matter. Many people live full lives with a partially functioning pancreas or even without one at all. To prevent the disease, it is enough to eat right, follow a work and rest schedule, take care of your nerves and treat everything in life with philosophical calm and a bit of humor.

An annual preventive examination will help you keep your pancreas under control and, in case of malfunctions, begin treatment on time.

Danger of illness

The resulting diagnostic images will indicate pathologies of parts of the gland. Local enlargement of its parts is dangerous for the life of a sick person. When diagnosing pathology, the doctor must record the slightest diffusion. An enlarged gland may be a confirmation of pancreatitis, but the formation of oncology cannot be ruled out. If the tail of the pancreas is enlarged, this is often accompanied by the formation of cancerous pathologies. Pancreatitis has characteristic signs of enlargement of the entire organ, as well as damage to its integrity and contour.

Reviews

Dear readers, your opinion is very important to us - therefore, we will be glad to hear your feedback about the enlarged pancreas in the comments, this will also be useful to other users of the site.

Christina, Omsk

“For several months I suffered from mild, barely perceptible nausea and discomfort in the epigastric region - not pain, but an unpleasant feeling, as if something was constantly bothering me. When I finally dared to see a doctor, it turned out that my liver and pancreas were enlarged, there were two large stones in my gall bladder, and the condition was such that even the doctor was surprised that there had been no pain until now. The treatment took a long time, and even after it I continue to take pills and drink herbal decoctions. I also study books by Louise Hay. They helped me understand my emotional state, for which these organs are responsible. I won’t say that I have recovered, but it has definitely become easier.”

Vitalina, Ivanovo

“My husband is used to taking a Pancreatin tablet before every meal. It was the same on New Year’s Day: I swallowed it and quickly went to the table. They drank, ate, and an hour later he was overcome by severe pain in his stomach. He took another pill and felt worse. She called an ambulance and was taken to the hospital. It turned out that he was having an attack of acute pancreatitis, during which it is dangerous to drink Pancreatin: the pancreas begins to collapse. My beloved spent New Year's Eve in the hospital, under a drip. Well, at least there was no surgery. Now there are no feasts: whatever, he will eat a plate of cabbage soup - the pancreas will immediately swell.”

Normal sizes of the tail of the pancreas according to ultrasound in children and adults

The size of the pancreas is one of the objective criteria of its health. With pathology, it can increase evenly or only in its individual components or, on the contrary, decrease. Since it is impossible to determine the size and even palpate the pancreas by palpation, an ultrasound examination is performed, which gives accurate indicators. In cases where it was possible to palpate the gland during an objective examination, you need to think about its pathology - its size in this case is significantly increased.

While the largest parameters are at the head of the pancreas (35 mm), at the body of the pancreas they are 25 mm, the establishment of the size of the tail of the pancreas by ultrasound is normally no more than 7 to 27 mm in adults. In children, the size of the pancreas and its individual parts depends on the age and weight of the child. At birth, the length of the entire pancreas is 5 cm, it reaches its maximum values by the age of 18, then it no longer grows. At the age of 1 month to 1 year, the tail size is 12-16 mm, from 1 year to 10 years - 18-22 mm.

What does an enlarged pancreatic tail indicate?

Due to the topographic location of the tail of the pancreas, it is not always possible to detect its lesion in a timely manner. This is also associated with clinical manifestations: there are no specific subjective signs of changes in the tail. The patient has complaints inherent in the pathology of any organ of the digestive system. Especially if it concerns the inflammatory process. According to statistics, in only 1 out of 4 cases of inflammation of the pancreas, the focus is located in the tail.

If a detailed examination reveals an increase in only the tail part of the gland, it is necessary to show oncological alertness: a change in size may indicate the presence of a malignant neoplasm. Tail cancer disrupts the functioning of the entire organ and can lead to the death of the patient within a few months of the onset of the disease. But without special examination methods, it is difficult to suspect this pathology in the initial stages: in most cases it is detected when the tumor reaches a large size. On sonography, it can significantly increase echogenicity.

If the tail enlargement is due to a tumor, symptoms appear slowly. Even with a significant excess of all sizes, except for weakness, constant malaise, disturbed sleep and decreased appetite, there may be no other complaints.

An increase in the caudal part of the pancreas is observed with the development of benign neoplasms. These tumors:

are not prone to metastasis;
maintain tissue differentiation;
grow only within one organ or part of it.

In addition, exceeding the normal size of the end part of the pancreas can be caused by a local inflammatory process, which will subsequently cover all parts of the organ, but at the initial stage, swelling and changes in the tissues of the tail develop.

If there is dysfunction in the tail section, the following are of concern:

intense pain in the lower back;
decreased appetite;
weakness.

Damage to the tail of the pancreas leads to the development of diabetes mellitus due to a sharp hormonal imbalance.

Endocrine functions in the pancreas are performed by the islets of Langerhans, which are localized in large numbers in the tail and produce hormones. Tumors are formed from their cells under certain circumstances. They are divided:

for benign adenomas;
for malignant adenocarcinomas.

Clinical manifestations depend on:

from the cells from which the neoplasm appeared;
from the hormone synthesized by them;
on the size of the tumor.