Increased echogenicity of the pancreatic parenchyma
In order to understand what threatens the increased echogenicity of the pancreas, whether it is necessary to carry out treatment, it is necessary to understand what it is.
Oscillations that can be transmitted through various media are usually called acoustic vibrations or sound. Depending on the frequency of the oscillations, sound is infrared, such as we hear with our ear, ultrasound or hypersound. To study the pancreas often use the method of radiation diagnosis: ultrasound.
What is its principle?
With the aid of a special probe, a beam of ultrasound is sent to the human body, which, reflected from tissues or organs, returns to the "receiver" of ultrasound.
In the future, acoustic waves are converted into electronic pulses, which after processing on a PC acquire the form of a computer image of the organ. With this image, you can study the topography, the structure of the organ, the state of the parenchyma.
What is the echogenicity of the gland?
Echogenicity of the pancreas is the ability of the body to beat ultrasonic waves. It depends on a number of factors: the magnitude, shape of the slugging surface, the ability of the tissue to "quench" the ultrasound, and also from the angle at which the detector is located. Normally, the echogenicity of the gland is compared with the echogenicity of the liver( its parenchyma).
In case of pancreatic lesions, its echogenicity changes: it may be decreased, elevated, hyperechoic inclusions may appear.
Causes and factors of changes in echogenicity
There are many causes of changes in these parameters: the development of acute or chronic pancreatitis, the inclusion of calcifications, the development of a malignant process, the formation of gases, the appearance of a cyst, the presence of a history of diabetes mellitus.
Echogenicity is also affected by age-related changes: in older people, the parenchyma of the gland dehydrates, becoming fibrous tissue.
Is the deviation from the norm always a disease?
Increased echogenicity of the pancreas is not always a sign of the disease.
If before the visit of the ultrasound study the patient changed the diet( for example, for fatty foods), changed the diet, complained of a stool or lack of appetite - the result of the study may be a deviation from the norm. However, more often the increased echogenicity of the pancreas is associated with a pathological process in the gland. Therefore, in addition to this criterion, it is necessary to take into account other indicators: the appearance of compaction, the size of the organ, its topographical position. For example, with a change in the parenchyma of the gland, while maintaining the size, we can assume the development of lipomatosis.
Important! To start treatment only on the basis of ultrasound data, even if diagnosed - increased echogenicity of the pancreas - is not worth it. It is necessary to undergo a comprehensive examination, to reveal the true cause of the change in echogenicity and only then to eliminate this problem.
Diagnostic examination algorithm
Any doctor diagnosing an ultrasound examination of the pancreas must compare its echogenicity with a number of located organs of the abdominal cavity: the liver, spleen, gall bladder and kidneys. This is due to the fact that all these organs are located side by side, have common ducts, and a change in the echogenicity of one organ can entail a change in the parameters of a nearby one.
Treatment should be started only after such differential diagnosis.
Treatment of glandular dysfunction
The first drug treatment for pancreatic dysfunction is the use of enzyme preparations( mezim, pancreatin).The pain syndrome is stopped by spasmolytics( no-shpoy), which extends the bile ducts and provides free outflow of pancreatic juice.
During the inflammation period, complex treatment is very important. In addition to enzymes, it is necessary to drink a lot of fluid to prevent stagnation of bile, preferably alkaline water without gas, warm, in the early days - at least 2 liters per day.
Comprehensive treatment includes compliance with the diet. The first few days are recommended to completely refrain from eating, then for at least a month, it is necessary to exclude from the diet fat, sharp, fried and smoked dishes. Food should be low-calorie, and salt content should also be limited.
Compliance with diet and proper diet are the best prevention of the occurrence of repeated dysfunctions and the development of pancreatic diseases.
