Pancreatic disease : state of the art and future aspects of research [Munich, 18-19 september 1998

This symposium volume summarizes the latest research, research that has greatly advanced our understanding of both the basic mechanisms of pancreatic physiology and pathophysiology and the diagnosis and treatment of the diseases of the exocrine pancreas. By doing so, it serves to give direction to future research. Diseases discussed include acute and chronic pancreatitis, cystic fibrosis, and pancreatic cancer. The volume also reflects a central concern of the symposium: to stimulate young persons embarking on a career in this area. The book contains black-and-white illustrations. Front Matter....Pages I-XIII Front Matter....Pages 1-1 Acute Pancreatitis: Mechanisms of Cell Injury — Genetics....Pages 3-13 Events Inside the Pancreatic Acinar Cell in Acute Pancreatitis: Role of Secretory Blockade, Calcium Release, and Dehydration in the Initiation of Trypsinogen Activation and Autodigestion....Pages 14-23 Immunological Mechanisms in Acute Pancreatitis....Pages 24-35 Mechanisms in Cellular Injury....Pages 36-38 Acute Pancreatitis: Bacterial Translocation and Pancreatic Infections....Pages 39-54 Staging and Early Nasoenteral Feeding in Acute Pancreatitis....Pages 55-65 Acute Pancreatitis: Medical and Endoscopic Treatment....Pages 66-77 Surgical Treatment of Acute Pancreatitis....Pages 78-89 Front Matter....Pages 91-91 Chronic Pancreatitis: Do Different Etiologies (Alcohol, Obstruction) Invoke Different Mechanisms?....Pages 93-101 Exocrine Pancreatic Secretion, Pain, and Malabsorption....Pages 102-111 Intestinal Transit of Chyme and its Regulatory Role: Clinical Implications....Pages 112-120 Treatment of Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency in Chronic Pancreatitis....Pages 121-131 Mechanisms of Fibrosis and Potential Antifibrotic Agents....Pages 132-139 Mechanisms of Pain and its Medical Management, Including Neurolytic Treatments....Pages 140-145 Endoscopic Treatment of Pain and Complications of Chronic Pancreatitis....Pages 146-154 Surgical Treatment of Chronic Pancreatitis....Pages 155-164 Front Matter....Pages 165-165 Genetics and Molecular Pathology of Cystic Fibrosis....Pages 167-179 Treatment of Gastrointestinal Manifestations in Cystic Fibrosis....Pages 180-192 Is Idiopathic Chronic Pancreatitis Cystic Fibrosis?....Pages 193-201 Front Matter....Pages 203-203 Growth Factors and Transcription Factors in Pancreatic Cancer....Pages 205-221 Front Matter....Pages 203-203 Biological Approaches to the Therapy of Pancreatic Cancer....Pages 222-229 Pancreatic Cancer: Preclinical Development of an Experimental Treatment Strategy Using Retinoids and Interferon-alpha....Pages 230-237 Aspects of Radical Surgery for Exocrine Cancer of the Pancreatic Head....Pages 238-249 Front Matter....Pages 251-251 Lessons Learned about Pancreatitis and Pancreatic Cancer from Epidemiological Studies....Pages 253-262 Back Matter....Pages 263-272 In the past several years much progress has been made in understanding the basic mechanisms of pancreatic physiology and the pathogenesis, diagnosis, and treatment of pancreatic disease. A symposium took place in Munich on 18-19 September 1998 that aimed at summarizing current knowledge of the exocrine pancreas and giving di­ rection to future research. It targeted all practitioners and scientists working in the field of exocrine pancreatic disease. The symposium was also designed to stimulate young persons embarking on a career in this area. It was an exciting meeting for all of us. We wish to extend our thanks to all participants for their prompt submission of manuscripts and to Springer­ Verlag for speedy publication, providing us with an up-to-date volume on pancreatic research. We would also like to thank G. Beyendorff-Hajda and W. Glockner, as well as D. Kriiger, representatives of Knoll Deutschland GmbH, for their organiza­ tional assistance and Knoll itself for its generous sponsorship, which enabled colleagues from other countries to participate and made publication of the symposium possible.