Ultrasonography in the preoperative diagnosis of chronic pancreatitis causing severe obstruction, and in indication for surgery.

It is pointed out that some cases of chronic pancreatitis causing severe obstruction may clinically simulate tumour. This can occasionally be confirmed by other examinations (e.g. ERCP) or by macroscopic inspection at surgery, and palpation. With the passive symptomatological treatment applied in these cases, the patients' condition keeps on deteriorating, reinforcing the suspicion of tumour. Sonography performed by a high-resolution equipment may raise, as an alternative to the tumour, the prevalence of chronic pancreatitis. Of 169 documented cases 7 were found to be of this condition. The strict criteria of establishing diagnosis are reviewed, supported by figures and case reports.