Imaging of chronic pancreatitis (including groove and autoimmune pancreatitis)

Abstract

Multiple disorders may cause chronic pancreatitis (CP) through recurrent inflammation of the pancreatic parenchyma. Chronic calcifying pancreatitis caused by excessive alcohol intake accounts for most cases of CP. However, there are multiple other causes of CP, including obstructive chronic pancreatitis, autoimmune pancreatitis, groove pancreatitis, tropical, and hereditary pancreatitis. This article reviews the multiple imaging techniques, some of which are accepted as first-line modalities in patients with suspected CP, and the imaging features associated with the different causes of CP.