Thursday, November 16, 2006

Acute Pancreatitis signs and symptoms

What is Pancreatitis?
Pancreatitis refers to inflammation of the pancreas that occurs when pancreatic enzyme secretions build up and begin to digest the organ itself. It can occur as a temporary, or acute, painful attack, or may be a chronic condition developing over a period of years most often in individuals who have experienced pancreatic damage from earlier episodes of acute pancreatitis.

These are signs and symptoms of Acute pancreatitis: Acute pancreatitis comes on suddenly, usually with mild to severe pain in your upper abdomen that may radiate to your back and occasionally to your chest. The pain may be nearly constant for hours or even days and is likely to become worse when you drink alcohol or eat. Bending forward or curling into a fetal position may provide temporary relief.



Other signs and symptoms of acute pancreatitis include:
  1. Nausea;
  2. Vomiting;
  3. Fever;
  4. Rapid pulse;
  5. Swollen, tender abdomen.
In severe cases:
  1. Dehydration;
  2. Low blood pressure;
  3. Internal bleeding; and
  4. Shock.
You may have repeated episodes of acute pancreatitis and recover fully from each one. Nevertheless, every attack is a serious illness that can damage your pancreas and cause life-threatening complications.



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Chronic Pancreatitis Signs and Symptoms


These are signs and symptoms of Chronic pancreatitis: Ongoing damage to your pancreas can lead to a chronic condition that destroys the pancreas and nearby tissues, although it may be years before signs and symptoms appear. A few people with chronic pancreatitis never experience discomfort, but most have intermittent bouts of abdominal pain that can be severe. The pain may last anywhere from a few hours to weeks or even years. Drinking alcohol, smoking tobacco, or eating often makes symptoms worse.


This statement is taken straight from the John Hopkins Medical University Digestive Diseases site on Chronic Pancreatitis: "Biochemical Measurements of amylase, lipase, trypsin, and elastase levels may be low, normal, or elevated in patients with chronic pancreatitis. In early or mildcases of chronic pancreatitis, it is difficult to make a definitive diagnosis based on serum enzyme levels alone."

In addition to pain, chronic pancreatitis can cause:
  1. Nausea;
  2. Vomiting;
  3. Fever;
  4. Bloating and gas;
  5. Weight loss, even when your appetite and eating habits are normal;
  6. Steatorrhea: Oily, malodorous stools resulting from poor digestion and malabsorption of nutrients, particularly fats;
  7. Diabetes;
  8. Sometimes, jaundice.

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Steatorrhea

Steatorrhea
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Classification and external resources
ICD-10 K90.
ICD-9 579.8
MeSH D045602

Steatorrhea is the presence of excess fat in faeces. Stools may also float due to excess lipid, have an oily appearance and be especially foul smelling. An oily anal leakage or some level of fecal incontinence may occur. There is increased fat excretion, which can be measured by determining the fecal fat level. While definitions have not been standardised, fat excretion in feces in excess of 0.3 (g/kg)/day[citation needed] is considered indicative of steatorrhea.

Possible biological causes
Possible biological causes can be lack of bile acids (due to liver damage or hypolipidemic drugs), defects in pancreatic juices (enzymes), and defective mucosal cells. The absence of bile acids will cause the feces to turn gray or pale. Another cause of steatorrhea is due to the adverse effect of Octreotide which is an analog of somatostatin used clinically to treat acromegaly.

  • Seen in
    1. malabsorption, e.g. in inflammatory bowel disease, celiac disease, and
      abetalipoproteinaemia
    2. exocrine pancreatic insufficiency
    3. pancreatitis
    4. choledocholithiasis - (obstruction of the bile duct by a gallstone)
    5. pancreatic cancer - (if it obstructs biliary outflow)
    6. primary sclerosing cholangitis
    7. bacterial overgrowth
    8. short bowel syndrome
    9. cystic fibrosis
    10. Zollinger-Ellison syndrome
    11. Giardiasis - a protozoan parasite infection
    12. Abuse or misuse of certain prescribed slimming pills.
  • As a side effect
    • Steatorrhea can also be due to eating non-digestible oils or fats such as
      Olestra, and a side-effect of medicines that prevent the absorption of dietary
      fats such as Orlistat.[1][2][3][4]
  • Artificial fats
    • The fat substitute Olestra, used in some reduced-fat foods, has been proven to
      cause leakage in some consumers. The United States Food and Drug Administration
      warning indicated that excessive consumption of Olestra could result in "loose stools"; this warning has not been required since
      2003.[2][4]
  • Medications
    • Orlistat (Xenical) is a diet pill that works by blocking the enzymes that digest
      fat. As a result fat cannot be absorbed from the gut and some fat is excreted in
      the feces instead of being metabolically digested, sometimes causing oily anal
      leakage.[1][3]
  • Natural fats
    • Consuming jojoba oil has been documented to cause steatorrhea and anal leakage
      because it is indigestible.[5]
  • Consuming escolar and oilfish (sometimes called butterfish) will often cause steatorrhea.
    • The fish is commonly used in party catering due to its delicate flavor and the
      fact that it is cheap and readily available.

Treatment
Treatments are mainly correction of the underlying cause, as well as digestive enzyme supplements.[6]


References
^ a b "Weighing a Pill For Weight Loss". Washington Post. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/01/23/AR2006012301270.html. Retrieved on 2007-07-06. "While the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) still must approve the switch, the agency often follows the advice of its experts. If it does, Orlistat (xenical) -- currently sold only by prescription -- could be available over-the-counter (OTC) later this year. But it's important to know that the weight loss that's typical for users of the drug -- 5 to 10 percent of total weight -- will be less than many dieters expect. And many consumers may be put off by the drug's significant gastrointestinal side effects, including flatulence, diarrhea and anal leakage."
^ a b "Frito-Lay Study: Olestra Causes "Anal Oil Leakage"". Center for Science in the Public Interest. February 13, 1997. http://www.cspinet.org/new/flaynal.html. Retrieved on 2007-07-07. "The Frito-Lay report states: "The anal oil leakage symptoms were observed in this study (3 to 9% incidence range above background), as well as other changes in elimination. ... Underwear spotting was statistically significant in one of two low level consumer groups at a 5% incidence above background." Despite those problems, the authors of the report concluded that olestra-containing snacks "should have a high potential for acceptance in the marketplace.""
^ a b "The Word Is 'Leakage'. Accidents may happen with a new OTC diet drug.". Newsweek. June 25, 2007. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/19263093/site/newsweek/. Retrieved on 2007-06-21. "GlaxoSmithKline has a tip for people who decide to try Alli, the over-the-counter weight-loss drug it is launching with a multimillion-dollar advertising blitz—keep an extra pair of pants handy. That's because Alli, a lower-dose version of the prescription drug Xenical, could (cue the late-night talk-show hosts) make you soil your pants. But while Alli's most troublesome side effect, anal leakage, is sure to be good for a few laughs, millions of people who are desperate to take off weight may still decide the threat of an accident is worth it."
^ a b "Reported medical side-effects of Olestra according to Procter and Gamble studies". Center for Science in the Public Interest. http://www.cspinet.org/olestra/11cons.html. Retrieved on 2007-06-21. "Olestra sometimes causes underwear staining associated with "anal leakage." Olestra sometimes causes underwear staining. That phenomenon may be caused most commonly by greasy, hard-to-wipe-off fecal matter, but occasionally also from anal leakage (leakage of liquid olestra through the anal sphincter)."
^ Comparative aspects of lipid digestion and absorption: physiological correlates of wax ester digestion
^ WrongDiagnosis >Treatments for Steatorrhea Retrieved on 20 Mars, 2009

Causes

Causes



  • Most common causes: A common mnemonic for the causes of pancreatitis is:
    • I - idiopathic
    • G - gallstone. Gallstones that travel down the common bile duct and which subsequently get stuck in the Ampulla of Vater can cause obstruction in the outflow of pancreatic juices from the pancreas into the duodenum. The backflow of these digestive juices causes lysis (dissolving) of pancreatic cells and subsequent pancreatitis.
    • E - ethanol (alcohol)
    • T - trauma
    • S - steroids
    • M- mumps (paramyxovirus) and other viruses (Epstein-Barr virus, Cytomegalovirus)
    • A - autoimmune disease (Polyarteritis nodosa, Systemic lupus erythematosus)
    • S - scorpion sting -Tityus Trinitatis - Trinidad/ snake bite
    • H - hypercalcemia, hyperlipidemia/hypertriglyceridemia and hypothermia
    • E - ERCP (Endoscopic Retrograde
      Cholangio-Pancreatography - a form of
      endoscopy)
    • D-.Drugs (SAND) And Duodenal Ulcers
      a. S -Steroids and Sulphonamides
      b. A- Azathiopine
      c. N - NSAIDS
      d. D - Diuretics such as:
      1. Furosemide
      2. Thiazides
      3. Didanosine
  • Less common causes
    • pancreas divisum
    • long common duct
    • carcinoma of the head of pancreas, andother cancer
    • ascaris blocking pancreatic outflow
    • ischemia from
    • bypass
    • surgery
    • fatty necrosis
    • pregnancy
    • infections other than mumps, including varicella zoster
    • repeated marathon running.
  • Causes by demographic:
    • Western countries - chronic alcoholism and gallstones accounting for more than 85% of all cases
    • Eastern countries - gallstones
    • Children - trauma
    • Adolescents and young adults - mumps

    Medications and Toxins Associated with Pancreatitis
    • Acetaminophen overdose
    • Diphenoxylate
    • Organophosphates
    • Alcohol
    • Didanosine
    • Penicillin
    • Amphetamines
    • Enalapril
    • Pentamidine
    • Anticoagulants
    • Erythromycin
    • Phenformin
    • L-Asparaginase
    • Estrogen
    • Piroxicam
    • Azathioprine
    • Ethacrynic acid
    • Procainamide
    • Boric acid
    • Furadantin
    • Propoxyphene
    • Calcium
    • Furosemide
    • Propylthiouracil
    • Carbamazepine
    • Heroin
    • Ranitidine
    • Cimetidine
    • Histamine
    • Rifampin
    • Chlorthalidone
    • Indomethacin
    • Salicylates
    • Cholestyramine
    • Isoniazid
    • Sulfasalazine
    • Cisplatin
    • Meprobamate
    • Sulfonamides
    • Clonidine
    • 6-Mercaptopurine
    • Sulindac
    • Cytarabine
    • Mesalamine
    • Tetracycline
    • Corticosteroids
    • Methotrexate
    • Thiazides
    • Cyclophosphamide
    • Methyldopa
    • Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole
    • Cyproheptadine
    • Metronidazole
    • Valproic acid
    • Cytosine arabinoside
    • Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs V
    • incristine
    • Diazoxide
    • Nitrofurantoin
    • Venom (scorpion, spider)
    • Dideoxycytidine
    • Opiates
    • Vitamin D
    • Oxyphenbutazone


    Mayo Clin Proc. 2001;76:241 © 2001 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research

    Editorial
    Alcohol Consumption and Chronic Pancreatitis
    Phillip P. Toskes, MD
    University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville


    Address reprint requests and correspondence to Phillip P. Toskes, MD, Department of Medicine, University of Florida College of Medicine, 1600 SW Archer Rd, Room HD602, Gainesville, FL 32610 (email: toskepp@medicine.ufl.edu).

    Intake of alcohol is the main cause of chronic pancreatitis in Western countries, accounting for about 70% of cases.1 It is easy to understand that a person who frequently drinks large amounts of alcohol is at risk for chronic pancreatitis, but why do people who claim modest intake also get the disease? Some people probably drink more than they admit, but family and friends confirm other patients’ accounts of modest use. In this issue of Mayo Clinic Proceedings, Lankisch et al2 examine the phenomenon of chronic pancreatitis among people who drink modest amounts of alcohol.

    The authors of this study evaluated 4 subgroups of patients with chronic pancreatitis: group A, patients with early-onset idiopathic chronic pancreatitis and no alcohol intake; group B, late-onset idiopathic chronic pancreatitis and no alcohol intake; group C, late-onset idiopathic chronic pancreatitis and low alcohol intake (<50 g/d); and group D, late-onset idiopathic chronic pancreatitis and high alcohol intake (≥50 g/d). Lankisch et al performed a retrospective record analysis and a subsequent prospective follow-up of 372 patients with chronic pancreatitis, 66 of whom were in groups A and B, 57 in group C, and 249 in group D. Using medical records, questionnaires, death certificates, or autopsy reports, they obtained data on symptoms, complications, surgery, and survival. One primary finding was that, among the patients in groups B, C, and D, increasing alcohol intake was associated with earlier onset of disease. Pain prevalence at onset was less in group B than in groups C and D. Intake of 50 g or more of alcohol per day (group D) shortened the time to calcification and survival. Group D also had more complications such as fistulas, pseudocysts, abscesses, and biliary obstruction compared with groups A and B. Lankisch et al concluded that, among patients with late-onset chronic pancreatitis, intake of even less than 50 g of alcohol per day induced earlier disease characterized by more frequent pain, calcification, and complications compared with patients with late-onset disease who did not consume alcohol. One of the main components of the study was to investigate the hypothesis that small amounts of alcohol accelerate the clinical course of chronic pancreatitis. Several interesting observations emerge from this study. The frequency of pain was significantly associated with an increasing intake of alcohol. This has implications for clinicians because many clinicians advise patients with idiopathic nonalcoholic chronic pancreatitis that moderate amounts of alcohol will not exacerbate their disease. It appears that the overall frequency of calcification was significantly associated with intake of alcohol. In addition, the rate of developing calcification was also associated with alcohol. However, alcohol intake did not seem to increase the rate of developing exocrine insufficiency or increase the overall frequency or accelerate the rate of developing diabetes.

    Although the total number of complications tended to be less in groups A and B compared with groups C and D, the overall frequency of complications was significantly associated with intake of alcohol. This was particularly true of pseudocysts. Lankisch et al emphasize that their data support the hypothesis that environmental factors such as alcohol intake influence the expression of idiopathic late-onset nonalcoholic chronic pancreatitis. They believe that their new data suggest that even a moderate intake of alcohol (<50>

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      Wednesday, November 15, 2006

      Screaning and Diagnosing Pancreatitis

      Screening and diagnosis of Pancreatitis: Because diagnosing pancreatitis can be difficult, you're likely to have several tests to help pinpoint the problem. The type of test may depend on whether your pancreatitis is acute or chronic.

      ...
      Acute pancreatitis: If your doctor suspects that you have acute pancreatitis, a sample of your blood may be analyzed for abnormalities such as:
      1. Elevated levels of the pancreatic enzymes, amylase and lipase;
      2. Elevated white blood cell count;
      3. Elevated liver enzymes and bilirubin, a substance that results from breakdown of red blood cells;
      4. High blood sugar (hyperglycemia);
      5. Low calcium level — high calcium levels can cause pancreatitis, but low levels of calcium in the blood, called hypocalcemia, are a common result;
      Because laboratory tests can't confirm a diagnosis of acute pancreatitis, your doctor may request an ultrasound or computerized tomography (CT) scan of your abdomen to examine your pancreas and to check for gallstones, a duct problem, or destruction of the gland. You may also have X-rays of your abdomen and chest to rule out other reasons for your symptoms.
      ..
      Diagnosing Chronic pancreatitis:
      Once there is damage in the pancreas, it is considered Chronic Pancreatitis. Chronic Pancreatitis is an ongoing progressive disease. There is no cure, but there is hope in research.
      ..
      Diagnosing chronic pancreatitis can be challenging because some tests may yield normal results, even though you have the disease. It can also be difficult to distinguish acute from chronic pancreatitis. Even so, certain tests can help rule out other problems and aid in the diagnosis. These include:
      • Blood tests. These tests can identify abnormalities associated with chronic pancreatitis and help rule out acute inflammation.
      • Stool test. This measures the fat content in your feces. Chronic pancreatitis often causes excess fat in your stool because the fat isn't digested and absorbed normally by your small intestine.
      • Ultrasound. In standard (external) ultrasound, a wand-like device (transducer) is placed on your body. It emits inaudible sound waves that are reflected to the transducer and then translated into a moving image by a computer. Endoscopic ultrasound may provide images of your pancreas and bile and pancreatic ducts that are superior to those produced by standard ultrasound.
      • EUS. In endoscopic ultrasound, your doctor uses a thin, flexible tube with a light (endoscope) to thread a small ultrasound device through your stomach. The device then generates a detailed image on a computer screen.
      • ERCP. X-ray of bile and pancreatic ducts. In a procedure called endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography, your doctor gently threads an endoscope down your throat and through your stomach to the opening of the bile and pancreatic ducts in your duodenum. A dye passed through a thin, flexible tube (catheter) inside the endoscope allows for X-ray images of the ducts.

      ..

      Fig. 1. Pancreas with no dialation of Main Pancreatic Duct and no clubbing of side branches.
      ....


      Fig. 2. Pancreas with main pancreatic duct dialated to 1.5x normal width and some clubbing of side branches.

      ..

      Fig. 3. Pancreas with main pancreatic duct dialated to > 1.5x normal width and clubbing of side branches.

      ...

      • Pancreatic function test. If you've lost weight or your doctor suspects a malabsorption problem, you may have a pancreatic function test. Several tests exist, but all measure the ability of your pancreas to secrete enzymes or other substances necessary for digestion.
      • SSMRC. MRCP With Secretion Stimulation. IV injection of synthetic secretin, a gut hormone, causes a rapid outpouring of bicarbonate-rich fluid from the exocrine pancreas. SSMRCP provides significantly improved visualization not only of the main PD, but also of its side branches, when compared to nonstimulated imaging.
      • You may need additional tests if your doctor is concerned about the possibility of other diseases, such as pancreatic cancer. Chronic pancreatitis puts you at a slightly higher risk of pancreatic cancer.

      Complications: Severe cases of acute pancreatitis may lead to a number of complications:
      1. Infection. A damaged pancreas may become infected with bacteria that spread from the small intestine into the pancreas. Signs of infection include fever, an elevated white blood cell count and, in severe cases, organ failure. A fluid sample from the pancreas may be tested for bacterial infection. Pancreatic infections can be fatal without intensive treatment, including drainage or surgery to remove the infected tissue. Sometimes multiple operations are necessary.
      2. Pseudocysts. These are collections of pancreatic fluid and sometimes tissue debris that form within the pancreas or in an obstructed duct. If the cyst is small, no special care may be necessary, but large, infected or bleeding pseudocysts require immediate treatment.
      3. Abscess. This is a collection of pus in or near your pancreas that may develop about four to six weeks after the onset of acute pancreatitis. Treatment involves drainage of the abscess by catheter or surgery.
      4. Respiratory failure. Chemical changes in your body can affect your lung function, causing the level of oxygen in your blood to fall to dangerously low levels.
      5. Shock. This life-threatening complication usually occurs when your blood pressure is so low your organs can't carry out their normal functions. Severe shock can cause death within minutes if left untreated.
      The complications common to acute pancreatitis can also occur in the chronic form of the disease. In addition, chronic pancreatitis can lead to:
      1. Bleeding. Ongoing inflammation and damage to the blood vessels surrounding the pancreas can cause potentially fatal bleeding.
      2. Malnutrition and weight loss. Lack of digestive enzymes prevents your body from absorbing nutrients from food. The result is often unintended weight loss and malnutrition.
      3. Diabetes. Damage to insulin-producing cells can lead to diabetes, a disease that affects the way your body uses blood sugar.
      4. Drug dependency. Because medical treatments for severe pancreatic pain aren't always effective, people with pancreatitis may become dependent on pain medications.
      5. Pancreatic cancer. Long-term inflammation of the pancreas increases your risk of pancreatic cancer, one of the most serious of all malignancies.

      ..

        Why Pain?

        The role of mast cells in the pathogenesis of pain in chronic pancreatitis.

        BMC Gastroenterol. 2005; 5:8 (ISSN: 1471-230X)
        Hoogerwerf WA; Gondesen K; Xiao SY; Winston JH; Willis WD; Pasricha PJEnteric Neuromuscular Disorders and Pain Laboratory, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Texas Medical Branch, 301 University Boulevard, Galveston, TX 77555-0764, USA.
        wahooger@utmb.edu

        • BACKGROUND: The biological basis of pain in chronic pancreatitis is poorly understood. Mast cells have been implicated in the pathogenesis of pain in other conditions. We hypothesized that mast cells play a role in the pain of chronic pancreatitis.We examined the association of pain with mast cells in autopsy specimens of patients with painful chronic pancreatitis. We explored our hypothesis further using an experimental model of trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS) -induced chronic pancreatitis in both wild type (WT) and mast cell deficient mice (MCDM).
        • METHODS: Archival tissues with histological diagnoses of chronic pancreatitis were identified and clinical records reviewed for presence or absence of reported pain in humans. Mast cells were counted.The presence of pain was assessed using von Frey Filaments (VFF) to measure abdominal withdrawal responses in both WT and MCDM mice with and without chronic pancreatitis.
        • RESULTS: Humans with painful chronic pancreatitis demonstrated a 3.5-fold increase in pancreatic mast cells as compared with those with painless chronic pancreatitis. WT mice with chronic pancreatitis were significantly more sensitive as assessed by VFF pain testing of the abdomen when compared with MCDM.
        • CONCLUSION: Humans with painful chronic pancreatitis have an increased number of pancreatic mast cells as compared with those with painless chronic pancreatitis. MCDM are less sensitive to mechanical stimulation of the abdomen after induction of chronic pancreatitis as compared with WT. Mast cells may play an important role in the pathogenesis of pain in chronic pancreatitis.
        I have Chronic Atrophic Pancreatitis. Using electronic echoendoscope, endoscopic ultrasound was performed. The pancreas was closely visualized. The pancreatic duct was tortuous and dilated. The pancreatic duct was 5.2mm in the head, 4.8mm in the neck and 3.2mm in the tail. The pancreas was atrophic and hyperechoic diffusely. No lesions were seen in the pancreas. At least two lymph nodes were seen in the peri-pancreatic region (near the head). The lymph nodes appeared benign by EUS criteria. The largest lymph node was 15mm x 11.2mm in size. The liver appeared slightly hyperechoic. No evidence for cirrhosis or intrahepatic biliary dilation was seen on this examination. The common bile duct was 4.8mm in the pancreatic head. Pneumobilia was noted. The gallbladder was absent. (previous cholecystectomy).

        1. Normal Esophagus
        2. Normal stomach
        3. Normal duodenum
        4. Changes consistant with pancreatitis seen on endoscopic ultrasound

        There is dialation of main pancreatic duct >1.5x normal width, clubbing of side branches, and tortuous Main Pancreatic Duct (see fig 3 above).

        I neither drink alcohol nor smoke tobacco. I daily take all prescribed medications and go to each of my medical appointments. I stick to my diet. That is the best I can do for me, except to say, "Dang you, Mast Cells!"

        Oh, Pitiful!

        ..

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        Treatment and Prognosis

        Treatment

        1. Relieving pain is the first step in treating chronic pancreatitis.
        2. The next step is to plan a diet that is high in carbohydrates and low in fat.
        3. A doctor may prescribe pancreatic enzymes to take with meals if the pancreas does not secrete enough of its own. The enzymes should be taken with every meal to help the body digest food and regain some weight.
        4. In some cases, surgery is needed to relieve pain. The surgery may involve draining an enlarged pancreatic duct or removing part of the pancreas.
        5. For fewer and milder attacks, people with pancreatitis must stop drinking alcohol, if they do drink, stop smoking tobacco, if they do smoke, stick to their prescribed diet, and take the proper medications.
        6. Sometimes insulin or other drugs are needed to control blood glucose.
        7. Complications will be treated if or as they arise (infections, pseudocysts, abscess, respiratory problems, shock, bleeding, malnutritian, weight loss, diabetes, drug dependency, pancreatic cancer.)

        Emergency Department Care: Most of the cases presenting to the ED are treated conservatively, and approximately 80% respond to such treatment:

        • Fluid resuscitation:
          • Monitor accurate intake/output and electrolyte balance of the patient.
          • Crystalloids are used, but other infusions, such as packed red blood cells
            (PRBCs), are occasionally administered, particularly in the case of hemorrhagic pancreatitis.
          • Central lines and Swan-Ganz catheters are used in patients with severe fluid loss and very low blood pressure.
        • NPO: Patients should have nothing by mouth, and a nasogastric tube should be inserted to assure an empty stomach and to keep the GI system at rest.
        • **Begin parenteral nutrition if the prognosis is poor and if the patient is going to be kept in the hospital for more than 4 days.
        • Analgesics are used to relieve pain. Meperidine is preferred over morphine because of the greater spastic effect of the latter on the sphincter of Oddi.
        • Antibiotics are used in severe cases associated with septic shock or when the CT scan indicates that a phlegmon of the pancreas has evolved.
        • Other conditions, such as biliary pancreatitis associated with cholangitis, also need antibiotic coverage. The preferred antibiotics are the ones secreted by the biliary system, such as ampicillin and third generation cephalosporins.
        • Continuous oxygen saturation should be monitored by pulse oximetry and acidosis should be corrected. When tachypnea and pending respiratory failure develops, intubation should be performed.
        • Perform CT-guided aspiration of necrotic areas, if necessary.
        • An ERCP may be indicated for common duct stone removal.
        • Consultations: Consult a general surgeon in the following cases:
          • For phlegmon of the pancreas, surgery can achieve drainage of any abscess or
            scooping of necrotic pancreatic tissue. It should be followed by postoperative
            lavage of the pancreatic bed.
          • In patients with hemorrhagic pancreatitis, surgery is indicated to achieve hemostasis, particularly because major vessels may be eroded in acute pancreatitis.
          • Patients who fail to improve despite optimal medical treatment or patients who push the Ranson score even further are taken to the operating room. Surgery in these cases may lead to a better outcome or confirm a different diagnosis.
          • In biliary pancreatitis, a sphincterotomy (ie, surgical emptying of the common bile duct) can relieve the obstruction. A cholecystectomy may be performed to clear the system from any source of biliary stones.
        • Further Inpatient Care:
          • Transfer patients with Ranson scores of 0-2 to a hospital floor.
          • Transfer patients with Ranson scores 3-5 to an intensive care unit.
          • Transfer patients with Ranson scores higher than 5 to an intensive care unit with emergency surgery as a possibility.

          • **A randomized controlled trial of enteral versus parenteral feeding in patients with predicted severe acute pancreatitis shows a significant reduction in mortality and in infected pancreatic complications with total enteral nutrition.

            http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/
            posted by nicola 22 hours ago view profile
            Dig Surg. 2006;23(5-6):336-44; discussion 344-5.
            Petrov MS, Kukosh MV, Emelyanov NV.
            Discuss category: Other (Clinical) tags: APACHE Abscess Acute Disease Adult Aged Analysis of Variance C-Reactive Protein Enteral Nutrition Female Humans Infection Male Middle Aged Necrosis Pancreatitis Parenteral Nutrition Prognosis Treatment Outcome all

            BACKGROUND: Infectious complications are the main cause of late death in patients with acute pancreatitis. Routine prophylactic antibiotic use following a severe attack has been proposed but remains controversial. On the other hand, nutritional support has recently yielded promising clinical results. The aim of study was to compare enteral vs. parenteral feeding for prevention of infectious complications in patients with predicted severe acute pancreatitis. METHODS: We screened 466 consecutive patients with acute pancreatitis. A total of 70 patients with objectively graded severe acute pancreatitis were randomly allocated to receive either total enteral nutrition (TEN) or total parenteral nutrition (TPN), within 72 h of onset of symptoms. Baseline characteristics were well matched in the two groups. RESULTS: The incidence of pancreatic infectious complications (infected pancreatic necrosis, pancreatic abscess) was significantly lower in the enterally fed group (7 vs. 16, p = 0.02). In the TEN group, 7 patients developed multiple organ failure whereas 17 parenterally fed patients developed multiple organ failure (p = 0.02). Overall mortality was 20% with two deaths in the TEN group and twelve in the TPN
        Prognosis:

        Ranson developed a series of different criteria for the severity of acute pancreatitis:


          • Present on admission
            1. Older than 55 years
            2. WBC higher than 16,000 per mcL
            3. Blood glucose higher than 200 mg/dL
            4. Serum lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) more than 350 IU/L
            5. SGOT (ie, aspartate aminotransferase [AST]) >250
          • Developing during the first 48 hours:
            1. Hematocrit fall more than 10%
            2. BUN increase more than 8 mg/dL
            3. Serum calcium less than 8 mg/dL
            4. Arterial oxygen saturation less than 60 mm Hg
            5. Base deficit higher than 4 mEq/L
            6. Estimated fluid sequestration higher than 600 mL

          • What the Score Means:
            1. A Ranson score of 0-2 has a minimal mortality rate Patient to regular floor.
            2. A Ranson score of 3-5 has a 10%-20% mortality rate. Patient to ICU
            3. A Ranson score higher than 5 has a mortality rate of more than 50% and is associated with more systemic complications. Patient to ICU emergency surgery floor.
          • Two other systems, the
            • Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) and
            • the Multiple Organ System Score (MOSS), have been used recently, but these are used more in an ICU setting.

          Further Outpatient Care:

          The patient should be followed routinely with physical examination and amylase and lipase assays.
          Links to Wikipedia for more information:
          Pancreas: (Acute pancreatitis, Chronic pancreatitis, Pancreatic pseudocyst,
          Hereditary pancreatitis, Pancreatic cancer)


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          Pancreatic Cancer

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          http://www.king5.com/health/cancer/stories//NW_080207HEB_tomotherapy_KS.d77cbf54.html

          06:30 PM PDT on Thursday, August 2, 2007

          By JEAN ENERSEN / KING 5 News


          More precise radiation treatment EVERETT, Wash. - Cancer patients can only receive so much radiation before that option runs out.

          That's because the risk to surrounding healthy tissue is just too great.

          But now thanks to more precise delivery systems, that's changing.


          One such system is called tomotherapy. Everett has one of only 120 machines worldwide.

          Margaret Miner is one of the first patients at Everett's newly-opened Providence Regional Cancer Partnership, where she's getting help from tomotherapy.

          "This was a good time to get cancer, so I'm real lucky that this will probably help," she said.

          That's because Margaret has an inoperable form of pancreatic cancer. It's also difficult to treat with radiation.

          "Certain organs can move inside the body even if the patient doesn't move," said Dr. William Wisbeck.

          Wisbeck says that a new innovation called tomotherapy offers a distinct advantage - a CT scan and radiation machine in one. The 3D scan is taken moments before the treatment is delivered so doctors can pinpoint the exact location of the tumor.

          "The key always is to give as high a dose as you safely can to the tumor and as low a dose to the surrounding normal tissue as possible," he said.

          The tumor is then bombarded from 360 degrees. Margaret says it's painless and quick.

          "There's no feeling at all, except that it is kind of noisy in there," she said.

          This isn't the first round of radiation for Margaret. With traditional radiation, a second round wouldn't have been an option.

          Margaret says she's glad tomotherapy was available so she can get on with her life.

          "I'll be on my way and then I can have a good time this summer," she said.

          The only other tomotherapy system in the region is at St. Joseph Cancer Center in Bellingham.

          Click for video:
          http://www.king5.com/sharedcontent/video/makeASX.php?title=www.king5.com/cancer-free/kicf_080207tomotherapy5.wmv&adurl=adcontent/NtlInterceptAmexparttwo383863.wmv




          Cedars-Sinai

          Pancreatic Cancer

          Symptoms
          The symptoms of pancreatic cancer are often vague or not apparent, making the disease difficult to diagnose. Frequently, it reaches an advanced stage before symptoms occur. The most common are:

          • Abdominal pain
          • Loss of appetite, nausea or weight loss
          • Jaundice (a yellowish discoloration of the skin and whites of the eyes)
          • Back pain
          • Feeling of weakness
          Causes and Risk Factors
          An individual's risk of getting pancreatic cancer increases if he or she:

          • Uses tobacco
          • Eats a high fat diet
          • Has chronic pancreatitis
          • Has a hereditary form of pancreatitis or pancreatic cancer
          • Works with metals or chemicals
          • Is African American
          Diagnosis
          The exocrine part of the pancreas (which produces the digestive fluids that help break down fats, proteins and carbohydrates) is where 95% of all pancreatic cancers, or adenocarcinomas, begin. The other five percent grow in the endocrine section, where hormones (like insulin) are made. Identifying the type of tumor is important since they behave, develop and respond to treatment differently.

          Pancreatic cancer's symptoms are like those of many other pancreatic conditions. That's why it's important to be seen by an expert, who may use any of the following tests for an accurate diagnosis:


          • Basic blood tests and a lab test called CA19-9
          • Ultrasound. Though not a definitive test for tumors, it is a good way to find gallstones or cysts in the pancreas.
          • Computed tomography (CT) scan. These three-dimensional X-rays are accurate tests for cancer. A CT scan is also used to guide a biopsy needle exactly to the tumor to take a tissue sample for lab analysis.
          • Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). This uses magnetic fields and radio waves to create detailed images of soft tissue. A special type, magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP), can find blockages in the pancreatic and bile ducts.
          • Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). This minimally invasive procedure is considered the gold standard for pancreatic and biliary diagnosis, but there is a two to five percent risk of causing pancreatitis.

          Currently, there are no effective screening tests to detect pancreatic cancer. It is often difficult for a doctor to distinguish between pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas) and pancreatic cancer. Both conditions present similar symptoms and may look the same on radiology scans. Most patients require exploratory surgery to establish a diagnosis of pancreatic cancer and determine the extent of the disease.

          Treatment
          Treatment for pancreatic cancer includes surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy or a combination, depending on the stage of the disease.

          Exploratory surgery is performed through an incision in the abdomen (laparotomy). This allows the surgeon to assess the extent of the disease. If the tumor can be removed, a Whipple procedure (pancreatoduodenectomy) is used, which can be very effective and results in few complications. Only five to 20% of patients have tumors that can be surgically removed.

          Laparoscopy, a less invasive procedure, is sometimes done. The surgeon inserts a laparoscope (flexible telescope with a camera attached) into the abdomen to see how far the disease has progressed.

          Chemotherapy or radiation may benefit the patient if the tumor cannot be removed. Neither can be done until the patient has sufficiently recovered from the exploratory surgery, which usually takes about six weeks.





          USC Ampullary Cancer

          Premalignant lesions that may give rise to an ampullary cancer
          In patients with an ampullary cancer, a pre-existing benign adenoma (growth of the ampulla Vater) is often found. The incidence of this adenoma is higher in patients who have inflammatory bowel disease. This adenoma, often called a villous adenoma, should be completely excised to prevent future cancerous change in this tumor.

          A villous adenoma may be excised by surgical or endoscopic techniques. Small villous adenomas can be snared during endoscopy. It is important though that the gastroenterologist is able to completely excised to tumor. If remnants of the tumor are left behind then these may undergo malignant change in the future.

          Surgical resection of the adenoma is required if the tumor is not amenable to removal by endoscopic techniques. At USC we offer a specialized organ preserving procedure in which the tumor is completely excised in the duodenum and the bile and the pancreatic ducts are then reimplanted into the duodenum. As a consequence of this type of surgery, more radical operations such as a Whipple operation is avoided for these benign (non-cancerous) lesions.

          Treatment of ampullary cancer
          The surgical treatment for ampullary cancer is a pylorus preserving Whipple operation. Ampullary tumors are associated with an excellent prognosis and if the tumor is limited to the duodenal mucosa without any invasion into the adjacent pancreas then the five-year survival may be as high as 90 percent.

          At USC we have developed a laparoscopic procedure for the Whipple operation that we offer to selected patients with an ampullary cancer where the cancer is limited to the wall of the intestine without any invasion into the surrounding pancreas. Laparoscopic surgery utilizes minimally invasive techniques and is associated with a much more rapid recovery, diminish requirements for pain medication in the postoperative period and early return to work compared to conventional open surgery.

          Because of the excellent prognosis associated with an ampullary cancer, aggressive surgical treatment should be offered to the patient at a center that performs a high volume of pancreatic surgery and the Whipple operation.

          Contact information: USC Center for Pancreatic and Biliary Diseases
          1510 San Pablo Street, Los Angeles, CA
          Phone: 323-4425837
          e-mail: PancreasDiseases@surgery.usc.edu

          Programs


          This web site provides select information about pancreatic and biliary disorders and is updated twice monthly. This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical consultation with your physician.It is important that you consult with your physician for detailed information about your medical condition and treatment.The center will make every effort to update the site, however, past performance is no guarantee of future medical outcomes.
          Copyright © 2002 USC Center for pancreatic and biliary diseases. All rights reserved.







          To view information on another disease, click on Digestive Diseases Library.!

          Digestive Diseases Library


          ..



          Diet for Pancreatitis

          Pancreatitis Diet
          ..
          Always check with your doctor before changing your diet.

          ....
          If you have vomiting, pain, and nausea: go to hospital. You should be kept well hydrated and nourished by use of IV.
          Bowel sounds returning, pain subsiding, nausea lessening: Clear liquid diet
          1. Water
          2. Clear juices like apple juice
          3. Popcycles (not red or grape)
          4. Jello (not red or grape)
          5. Clear fat free broth (chicken, vegetable or beef
          If you tolerate the clear liquid diet well, and bowel sounds are good, and things tend to be moving, you could move to the solid liquid diet:
          1. Everything on the clear liquid diet
          2. Cottage cheese
          3. Ice cream
          4. Pudding
          If that is well tolerated for a day or two, and bowels are still moving well, you may move to soft diet:
          1. Everything on the solid liquid diet
          2. Extremely well cooked veggies, not of the **cruciferous family
          3. Canned fruits (not raw)
          4. A small piece of very lean meat, usually boiled and patted dry
          If that is well tolerated for a day or two, and bowels are still working well, you might move to a bland diet:
          1. Everything on the soft diet
          2. Toast/bread
          3. Jellies
          4. Bananas
          5. White rice, no fat
          6. Melon..
          If that is well tolerated, and the bowels are working well, you might move to the Pancreatitis diet: Low Fat, Low Protein, High Carbohydrate Diet..
          You can eat what you want that is basically low fat.
          ..
          1. Fats: Your diet should contain 30g fat per day. Your doctor may advise you to take MCT oil (to prevent fat malabsorption).
          2. Saturated fat is most often found in animal products, such as red meat, poultry, butter and whole milk. Other foods high in saturated fat include coconut, palm and other tropical oils. Saturated fat is the main dietary culprit in raising your blood cholesterol and increasing your risk of coronary artery disease. Limit your daily intake of saturated fat to no more than 10 percent of your total calories. For most women, this means no more than 20 grams a day, and for most men this means no more than 24 grams a day.
          3. Carbohydrates: Get 45 percent to 65 percent of your daily calories — at least 130 grams a day — from carbohydrates. Emphasize complex carbohydrates, especially from whole grains and beans, and nutrient-rich fruits and milk. Limit sugars from candy and other sweets.
          4. Cholesterol is vital to the structure and function of all your cells, but it's also the main substance in fatty deposits (plaques) that can develop in your arteries. Your body makes all of the cholesterol it needs for cell function. You get additional cholesterol by eating animal foods, such as meat, poultry, seafood, eggs, dairy products and butter. Limit your intake of cholesterol to no more than 300 milligrams a day.
          5. Fiber is the part of plant foods that your body doesn't digest and absorb. There are two basic types: soluble and insoluble. Insoluble fiber adds bulk to your stool and can help prevent constipation. Vegetables, wheat bran and other whole grains are good sources of insoluble fiber. Soluble fiber may help improve your cholesterol and blood sugar levels. Oats, dried beans and some fruits, such as apples and oranges, are good sources of soluble fiber. Women need 21 to 25 grams of fiber a day, and men need 30 to 38 grams of fiber a day.
          6. Protein is essential to human life. Your skin, bones, muscles and organ tissue all contain protein. It's found in your blood, hormones and enzymes too. Protein is found in many plant foods. It comes from animal sources as well. Legumes, poultry, seafood, meat, dairy products, nuts and seeds are your richest sources of protein. Between 10 percent and 35 percent of your total daily calories — at least 46 grams a day for women and 56 grams a day for men — can come from protein.
          Each person is different! Stay away from foods that disrupt your digestion! If you choose foods that are low fat, low protein, high carbohydrate, it will be easier on your pancreas. It won't have to work so hard to digest foods. Some people can't tolerate dairy products. They don't bother me at all, so I eat them! Some people don't tolerate wheat products, or products made from corn, but I have no problem with them! Once you on the Pancreatitis Diet, start a food log or diary. Start periodically adding a new food (just one at a time) and after a while, you will be able to tell whether or not this food agrees with you. As you find foods that you tolerate well, move them to your "Foods to eat" category. If you find a food that you don't tolerate well, move it to your "Foods to stay away from" category. After a while, you will see that you have a myriad of foods from which to choose!
          ..
          **Cruciferous family:
          1. Broccoli
          2. Cabbage
          3. Cauliflower
          4. Brussels sprouts
          These are hard to digest and may cause gas and tummy problems.
          Other possible tummy troublers:
          1. Carrots
          2. Raisons!
          These are not from the cruciferous family, but none-the-less are hard to digest and may cause gas and tummy problems.
          ..
          Here is a list of difficiencies and symptoms of dificiency:
          ..
          Deficiency...../....Symptom
          Protein-............low energy- apathy, fretfulness, low interest in food
          Thiamin- ..........confusion, irritability, memory loss, depression
          Riboflavin- ........depression, hysteria, psychopathic behavior
          Niacin- ............irritability, memory loss, mental confusion
          Vitamin B6- .........irritability, depression, abnormal brainwave patterns
          Folate- ............ mental symptoms of anemia, irritability, depression
          Vitamin B12- ......degeneration of the peripheral nervous system
          Vitamin C- .........hysteria, depression, lassitude, social introversion
          Vitamin A- .........anemia
          Iron- ................irritability, weakness, headaches
          Magnesium- .......apathy, personality changes
          Copper- ............iron deficiency anemia
          Zinc- ................iron deficiency anemia, irritability, emotional
          ........................disorders
          ..

          ..
          To view information on another disease, click on Digestive Diseases Library, or continue on here to learn more about pancreatitis!

          Digestive Diseases Library


          ..

          Coping with Pancreatitis

          Coping skills
          The effects of chronic pancreatitis may persist for years. By avoiding alcohol and smoking tobacco, eating well and working closely with your doctor to find appropriate medications, you have a better chance of managing the condition and living a more active, productive lifestyle.
          As is true with other chronic diseases, living with pancreatitis can cause emotional ups and downs. Here are tips for dealing with those swings:
          1. Maintain normal daily activities as best you can.
          2. Stay connected with friends and family.
          3. Continue to pursue hobbies that you enjoy and are able to do.
          4. Consider joining a support group, especially one for people with chronic pain.

          Keep in mind that your physical health can impact directly on your mental health. Denial, anger and frustration are common with chronic illnesses. At times, you may need more tools to deal with your emotions. Professionals such as therapists or behavioral psychologists may be able to help you put things in perspective. They can also teach coping skills, including relaxation techniques, that may help you.
          In addition, many chronic illnesses place you at an increased risk of depression. This isn't a failure to cope but may indicate a disruption in your body's neurochemistry that can be helped with appropriate medical treatment. Talk with your family, friends and doctor if you're feeling depressed.


          ..
          To view information on another disease, click on Digestive Diseases Library, or continue on here to learn more about pancreatitis!

          Digestive Diseases Library


          ..

          Self Care

          Self Care

          Chronic pancreatitis may leave you with lifelong signs and symptoms, such as pain and malabsorption of certain nutrients. However, most people with acute pancreatitis recover completely. But even if you experience no lingering symptoms, it's important to take steps to keep your pancreas as healthy as possible:
          1. Avoid alcohol. If you can't voluntarily stop drinking alcohol, get treatment for alcoholism. Abstaining from alcohol may or may not reduce your pain, but it will reduce your risk of dying of your disease.
          2. Avoid smoking tobacco. Smoking tobacco exacerbates pancreatitis and might cause pancreatic cancer. If you are a patient of CP you already have a higher risk of pancreatic cancer. If you smoke tobacco, your risk for pancreatic cancer is even higher.
          3. Eat smaller meals. The more you eat during a meal, the greater the amount of digestive juices your pancreas must produce. Instead of large meals, eat smaller, more frequent meals.
          4. Limit fat in your diet. Limiting fat will help reduce loose and oily stools that result from a lack of pancreatic enzymes. Discuss with your doctor or a dietitian how much fat to eat each day because some fat is essential.
          5. Follow a diet high in carbohydrates. Carbohydrates give you energy to help fight fatigue. They're present in foods made from starches (complex carbohydrates) or sugars (simple carbohydrates). Try to get most of your daily calories from complex carbohydrates found in grains, vegetables and legumes. If you have diabetes, a dietitian can help you plan an appropriate diet.
          6. Drink plenty of liquids. If you have chronic pancreatitis, be sure to drink enough liquids so that you don't become dehydrated. Dehydration may aggravate your pain by further irritating your pancreas.
          7. Find safe ways to control pain. Talk with your doctor about options for controlling your pain, including the benefits and risks of prescription and over-the-counter pain relievers and the use of digestive enzymes.

          ..
          To view information on another disease, click on Digestive Diseases Library, or continue on here to learn more about pancreatitis!

          Digestive Diseases Library

          ..

          Sunday, March 19, 2006

          Herpes Zoster (Shingles)

          Herpes Zoster
          From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia


          Herpes zoster blisters on the neck and shoulder
          ICD-10
          B02.
          ICD-9
          053
          DiseasesDB
          29119
          MedlinePlus
          000858
          eMedicine
          med/1007 derm/180 emerg/823 oph/257 ped/996

          Herpes zoster (or simply zoster), commonly known as shingles, is a viral disease characterized by a painful skin rash with blisters in a limited area on one side of the body, often in a stripe. The initial infection with varicella zoster virus (VZV) causes the acute (short-lived) illness chickenpox, and generally occurs in children and young people. Once an episode of chickenpox has resolved, the virus is not eliminated from the body but can go on to cause shingles—an illness with very different symptoms—often many years after the initial infection.

          Varicella zoster virus can become latent in the nerve cell bodies and less frequently in non-neuronal satellite cells of dorsal root, cranial nerve or autonomic ganglion,[1] without causing any symptoms.[2] In an immunocompromised individual, perhaps years or decades after a chickenpox infection, the virus may break out of nerve cell bodies and travel down nerve axons to cause viral infection of the skin in the region of the nerve. The virus may spread from one or more ganglia along nerves of an affected segment and infect the corresponding dermatome (an area of skin supplied by one spinal nerve) causing a painful rash.[3][4] Although the rash usually heals within two to four weeks, some sufferers experience residual nerve pain for months or years, a condition called postherpetic neuralgia. Exactly how the virus remains latent in the body, and subsequently re-activates is not understood.[1]

          Throughout the world the incidence rate of herpes zoster every year ranges from 1.2 to 3.4 cases per 1,000 healthy individuals, increasing to 3.9–11.8 per year per 1,000 individuals among those older than 65 years.[5][6][7] Antiviral drug treatment can reduce the severity and duration of herpes zoster, if a seven to ten day course of these drugs is started within 72 hours of the appearance of the characteristic rash.[5][8]

          Signs and symptoms
          The earliest symptoms of herpes zoster, which include headache, fever, and malaise, are nonspecific, and may result in an incorrect diagnosis.[9][5] These symptoms are commonly followed by sensations of burning pain, itching, hyperesthesia (oversensitivity), or paresthesia ("pins and needles": tingling, pricking, or numbness).[10] The pain may be extreme in the affected dermatome, with sensations that are often described as stinging, tingling, aching, numbing or throbbing, and can be interspersed with quick stabs of agonizing pain.[11] In most cases, after 1–2 days (but sometimes as long as 3 weeks) the initial phase is followed by the appearance of the characteristic skin rash. The pain and rash most commonly occurs on the torso, but can appear on the face, eyes or other parts of the body. At first, the rash appears similar to the first appearance of hives; however, unlike hives, herpes zoster causes skin changes limited to a dermatome, normally resulting in a stripe or belt-like pattern that is limited to one side of the body and does not cross the midline.[10] Zoster sine herpete describes a patient who has all of the symptoms of herpes zoster except this characteristic rash.[12]
          Later, the rash becomes vesicular, forming small blisters filled with a serous exudate, as the fever and general malaise continue. The painful vesicles eventually become cloudy or darkened as they fill with blood, crust over within seven to ten days, and usually the crusts fall off and the skin heals: but sometimes after severe blistering, scarring and discolored skin remain.[10]

          Development of the shingles rash



          Day 1





          Day 2




          Day 5





          Day 6




          Herpes zoster may have additional symptoms, depending on the dermatome involved. Herpes zoster ophthalmicus involves the orbit of the eye and occurs in approximately 10–25% of cases. It is caused by the virus reactivating in the ophthalmic division of the trigeminal nerve. In a few patients, symptoms may include conjunctivitis, keratitis, uveitis, and optic nerve palsies that can sometimes cause chronic ocular inflammation, loss of vision, and debilitating pain.[13] Herpes zoster oticus, also known as Ramsay Hunt syndrome type II, involves the ear. It is thought to result from the virus spreading from the facial nerve to the vestibulocochlear nerve. Symptoms include hearing loss and vertigo (rotational dizziness).[1]


          Diagnosis



          Herpes zoster on the chest
          If the rash has appeared, identifying this disease (making a differential diagnosis) only requires a visual examination, since very few diseases produce a rash in a dermatomal pattern (see map). However, herpes simplex virus (HSV) can occasionally produce a rash in such a pattern. The Tsanck smear is helpful for diagnosing acute infection with a herpes virus, but does not distinguish between HSV and VZV.[14]

          When the rash is absent (early or late in the disease, or in the case of zoster sine herpete), herpes zoster can be difficult to diagnose.[15] Apart from the rash, most symptoms can occur also in other conditions.
          Laboratory tests are available to diagnose herpes zoster. The most popular test detects VZV-specific IgM antibody in blood; this only appears during chickenpox or herpes zoster and not while the virus is dormant.[16] In larger laboratories, lymph collected from a blister is tested by the polymerase chain reaction for VZV DNA, or examined with an electron microscope for virus particles.[17]
          In a recent study, samples of lesions on the skin, eyes, and lung from 182 patients with presumed herpes simplex or herpes zoster were tested with real-time PCR or with viral culture. In this comparison, viral culture detected VZV with only a 14.3% sensitivity, although the test was highly specific (specificity=100%). By comparison, real-time PCR resulted in 100% sensitivity and specificity. Overall testing for herpes simplex and herpes zoster using PCR showed a 60.4% improvement over viral culture.[18]


          Pathophysiology


          Progression of herpes zoster. A cluster of small bumps (1) turns into blisters (2). The blisters fill with lymph, break open (3), crust over (4), and finally disappear. Postherpetic neuralgia can sometimes occur due to nerve damage (5),

          The causative agent for herpes zoster is varicella zoster virus (VZV), a double-stranded DNA virus related to the Herpes simplex virus group. Most people are infected with this virus as children, and suffer from an episode of chickenpox. The immune system eventually eliminates the virus from most locations, but it remains dormant (or latent) in the ganglia adjacent to the spinal cord (called the dorsal root ganglion) or the ganglion semilunare (ganglion Gasseri) in the base of the skull.[19] However, repeated attacks of herpes zoster are rare,[10] and it is extremely rare for patients to suffer more than three recurrences.[19]

          Herpes zoster occurs only in people who have had chickenpox, and although it can occur at any age, the majority of sufferers are more than 50 years old.[20] The disease results from the virus reactivating in a single sensory ganglion.[4] In contrast to Herpes simplex virus, the latency of VZV is poorly understood. The virus has not been recovered from human nerve cells by cell culture and the location and structure of the viral DNA is not known. Virus-specific proteins continue to be made by the infected cells during the latent period, so true latency, as opposed to a chronic low-level infection, has not been proven.[2][21] Although VZV has been detected in autopsies of nervous tissue,[22] there are no methods to find dormant virus in the ganglia in living people.

          Unless the immune system is compromised, it suppresses reactivation of the virus and prevents herpes zoster. Why this suppression sometimes fails is poorly understood,[6] but herpes zoster is more likely to occur in people whose immune system is impaired due to aging, immunosuppressive therapy, psychological stress, or other factors.[23] Upon reactivation, the virus replicates in the nerve cells, and virions are shed from the cells and carried down the axons to the area of skin served by that ganglion. In the skin, the virus causes local inflammation and blisters. The short and long-term pain caused by herpes zoster comes from the widespread growth of the virus in the infected nerves, which causes inflammation.[24]

          The symptoms of herpes zoster cannot be transmitted to another person.[25] However, during the blister phase, direct contact with the rash can spread VZV to a person who has no immunity to the virus. This newly-infected individual may then develop chickenpox, but will not immediately develop shingles. Until the rash has developed crusts, a person is extremely contagious. A person is also not infectious before blisters appear, or during postherpetic neuralgia (pain after the rash is gone). The person is no longer contagious after the virus has disappeared.[10]

          Prognosis
          The rash and pain usually subside within three to five weeks, but about one in five patients develops a painful condition called postherpetic neuralgia, which is often difficult to manage. In some patients, herpes zoster can reactivate presenting as zoster sine herpete: pain radiating along the path of a single spinal nerve (a dermatomal distribution), but without an accompanying rash. This condition may involve complications that affect several levels of the nervous system and cause multiple cranial neuropathies, polyneuritis, myelitis, or aseptic meningitis. Other serious effects that may occur in some cases include partial facial paralysis (usually temporary), ear damage, or encephalitis.[1] During pregnancy, first infections with VZV, causing chickenpox, may lead to infection of the fetus and complications in the newborn, but chronic infection or reactivation in shingles are not associated with fetal infection.[26][27]

          There is a slightly increased risk of developing cancer after a herpes zoster infection. However, the mechanism is unclear and mortality from cancer did not appear to increase as a direct result of the presence of the virus.[28] Instead, the increased risk may result from the immune suppression that allows the reactivation of the virus.[29]

          Treatment
          The aims of treatment are to limit the severity and duration of pain, shorten the duration of a shingles episode, and reduce complications. Symptomatic treatment is often needed for the complication of postherpetic neuralgia.[30]

          Antiviral drugs inhibit VZV replication and reduce the severity and duration of herpes zoster with minimal side effects, but do not reliably prevent postherpetic neuralgia. Of these drugs, aciclovir has been the standard treatment, but the new drugs valaciclovir and famciclovir demonstrate similar or superior efficacy and good safety and tolerability.[30] The drugs are used both as prophylaxis (for example in AIDS patients) and as therapy during the acute phase. Antiviral treatment is recommended for all immunocompetent individuals with herpes zoster over 50 years old, preferably given within 72 hours of the appearance of the rash.[31] Complications in immunocompromised individuals with herpes zoster may be reduced with intravenous aciclovir. In people who are at a high risk for repeated attacks of shingles, five daily oral doses of aciclovir are usually effective.[1] Administering gabapentin along with antivirals may offer relief of postherpetic neuralgia.[30]

          Patients with mild to moderate pain can be treated with over-the-counter analgesics. Topical lotions containing calamine can be used on the rash or blisters and may be soothing. Occasionally, severe pain may require an opioid medication, such as morphine. Once the lesions have crusted over, capsaicin cream (Zostrix) can be used. Topical lidocaine and nerve blocks may also reduce pain.[32]

          Orally administered corticosteroids are frequently used in treatment of the infection, despite clinical trials of this treatment being unconvincing. Nevertheless, one trial studying immunocompetent patients older than 50 years of age with localized herpes zoster, suggested that administration of prednisone with aciclovir improved healing time and quality of life.[33] Upon one-month evaluation, aciclovir with prednisone increased the likelihood of crusting and healing of lesions by about two-fold, when compared to placebo. This trial also evaluated the effects of this drug combination on quality of life at one month, showing that patients had less pain, and were more likely to stop the use of analgesic agents, return to usual activities and have uninterrupted sleep. However, when comparing cessation of herpes zoster-associated pain or post herpetic neuralgia, there was no difference between aciclovir plus prednisone, or simply aciclovir alone. Because of the risks of corticosteroid treatment, it is recommended that this combination of drugs only be used in people more than 50 years of age, due to their greater risk of postherpetic neuralgia.[33]

          Treatment for herpes zoster ophthalmicus is similar to standard treatment for herpes zoster at other sites. A recent trial comparing aciclovir with its prodrug, valaciclovir, demonstrated similar efficacies in treating this form of the disease.[34] The significant advantage of valciclovir over aciclovir is its dosing of only 3 times/day (compared with aciclovir's 5 times/day dosing), which could make it more convenient for patients and improve adherence with therapy.[35]

          Prevention
          A live vaccine for VZV exists, marketed as Zostavax. In a 2005 study of 38,000 older adults it prevented half the cases of herpes zoster and reduced the number of cases of postherpetic neuralgia by two-thirds.[36] A 2007 study found that the zoster vaccine is likely to be cost-effective in the U.S., projecting an annual savings of $82 to $103 million in healthcare costs with cost-effectiveness ratios ranging from $16,229 to $27,609 per quality-adjusted life year gained.[37] In October 2007 the vaccine was officially recommended in the U.S. for healthy adults aged 60 and over.[38] Adults also receive an immune boost from contact with children infected with varicella, a boosting method that prevents about a quarter of herpes zoster cases among unvaccinated adults, but which is becoming less common in the U.S. now that children are routinely vaccinated against varicella.[39][8]

          In the United Kingdom and other parts of Europe, population-based immunization is not practiced. The rationale is that until the entire population could be immunized, adults who have previously contracted VZV would derive benefit from occasional exposure to VZV (from children), which serves as a booster to their immunity to the virus and may reduce the risk of shingles later on in life.[40] The UK Health Protection Agency states that while the vaccine is licensed in the UK there are no plans to introduce it into the routine childhood immunization scheme, although it may be offered to healthcare workers who have no immunity to VZV.[41]
          A 2006 study of 243 cases and 483 matched controls found that fresh fruit is associated with a reduced risk of developing shingles: people who consumed less than one serving of fruit a day had three times the risk as those who consumed over three servings, after adjusting for other factors such as total energy intake. For those aged 60 or more, vitamins and vegetable intake had a similar association.[42]

          Epidemiology
          Varicella zoster virus has a high level of infectivity and is prevalent worldwide,[43] and has a very stable prevalence from generation to generation.[44] VZV is a benign disease in a healthy child in developed countries. However, varicella can be lethal to individuals who are infected later in life or who have low immunity. The number of people in this high-risk group has increased, due to the HIV epidemic and the increase in immunosuppressive therapies.[45] Infections of varicella in institutions such as hospitals are also a significant problem, especially in hospitals that care for these high-risk populations.[46]

          In general, herpes zoster has no seasonal incidence and does not occur in epidemics.[23] In temperate zones chickenpox is a disease of children, with most cases occurring during the winter and spring, most likely due to school contact; there is no evidence for regular epidemics. In the tropics chickenpox typically occurs among older people.[47] Incidence is highest in people who are over age 55, as well as in immunocompromised patients regardless of age group, and in individuals undergoing psychological stress. Non-whites may be at lower risk; it is unclear whether the risk is increased in females. Other potential risk factors include mechanical trauma, genetic susceptibility, and exposure to immunotoxins.[23]

          The incidence rate of herpes zoster ranges from 1.2 to 3.4 per 1,000 person-years among healthy individuals, increasing to 3.9–11.8 per 1,000 person‐years among those older than 65 years.[5] Similar incidence rates have been observed worldwide.[7][5] Herpes zoster develops in an estimated 500,000 Americans each year.[48] Multiple studies and surveillance data demonstrate no consistent trends in incidence in the U.S. since the chickenpox vaccination program began in 1995.[49] It is likely that incidence rate will change in the future, due to the aging of the population, changes in therapy for malignant and autoimmune diseases, and changes in chickenpox vaccination rates; a wide adoption of zoster vaccination could dramatically reduce the incidence rate.[5]

          In one study, it was estimated that 26% of patients who contract herpes zoster eventually present with complications. Postherpetic neuralgia arises in approximately 20% of patients.[50] A study of 1994 California data found hospitalization rates of 2.1 per 100,000 person-years, rising to 9.3 per 100,000 person-years for ages 60 and up.[51] An earlier Connecticut study found a higher hospitalization rate; the difference may be due to the prevalence of HIV in the earlier study, or to the introduction of antivirals in California before 1994.[52]

          A 2008 study revealed that people with close relatives who have had shingles are themselves twice as likely to develop it themselves. The study speculates that there are genetic factors in who is more susceptible to VZV.[53]

          History


          Electron micrograph of Varicella zoster virus. Approx. 150,000-fold magnification.

          Herpes zoster has a long recorded history, although historical accounts fail to distinguish the blistering caused by VZV and those caused by smallpox,[20] ergotism, and erysipelas. It was only in the late eighteenth century that William Heberden established a way to differentiate between herpes zoster and smallpox,[54] and only in the late nineteenth century that herpes zoster was differentiated from erysipelas. The first indications that chickenpox and herpes zoster were caused by the same virus were noticed at the beginning of the 20th century. Physicians began to report that cases of herpes zoster were often followed by chickenpox in the younger people who lived with the shingles patients. The idea of an association between the two diseases gained strength when it was shown that lymph from a sufferer of herpes zoster could induce chickenpox in young volunteers. This was finally proved by the first isolation of the virus in cell cultures, by the Nobel laureate Thomas H. Weller in 1953.[55]
          Until the 1940s, the disease was considered benign, and serious complications were thought to be very rare.[56] However, by 1942, it was recognized that herpes zoster was a more serious disease in adults than in children and that it increased in frequency with advancing age. Further studies during the 1950s on immunosuppressed individuals showed that the disease was not as benign as once thought, and the search for various therapeutic and preventive measures began.[46] By the mid-1960s, several studies identified the gradual reduction in cellular immunity in old age, observing that in a cohort of 1,000 people who lived to the age of 85, approximately 500 would have one attack of herpes zoster and 10 would have two attacks.[57]

          Footnotes
          ^ a b c d e Johnson, RW & Dworkin, RH (2003). "Clinical review: Treatment of herpes zoster and postherpetic neuralgia". BMJ 326 (7392): 748. doi:10.1136/bmj.326.7392.748. PMID 12676845. http://www.bmj.com/cgi/content/full/326/7392/748.
          ^ a b Kennedy PG (2002). "Varicella-zoster virus latency in human ganglia". Rev. Med. Virol. 12 (5): 327–34. doi:10.1002/rmv.362. PMID 12211045.
          ^ Peterslund NA (1991). "Herpesvirus infection: an overview of the clinical manifestations". Scand J Infect Dis Suppl 80: 15–20. PMID 1666443.
          ^ a b Gilden DH, Cohrs RJ, Mahalingam R (2003). "Clinical and molecular pathogenesis of varicella virus infection". Viral Immunol 16 (3): 243–58. doi:10.1089/088282403322396073. PMID 14583142.
          ^ a b c d e f Dworkin RH, Johnson RW, Breuer J et al. (2007). "Recommendations for the management of herpes zoster". Clin. Infect. Dis 44 Suppl 1: S1–26. doi:10.1086/510206. PMID 17143845. http://www.journals.uchicago.edu/doi/full/10.1086/510206.
          ^ a b Donahue JG, Choo PW, Manson JE, Platt R (1995). "The incidence of herpes zoster". Arch. Intern. Med 155 (15): 1605–9. doi:10.1001/archinte.155.15.1605. PMID 7618983.
          ^ a b Araújo LQ, Macintyre CR, Vujacich C (2007). "Epidemiology and burden of herpes zoster and post-herpetic neuralgia in Australia, Asia and South America" (PDF). Herpes 14 (Suppl 2): 40A–4A. PMID 17939895. http://www.ihmf.org/journal/download/5%20-%20Herpes%2014.2%20suppl%20Araujo.pdf.
          ^ a b Cunningham AL, Breuer J, Dwyer DE, Gronow DW, Helme RD, Litt JC, Levin MJ, Macintyre CR (2008). "The prevention and management of herpes zoster". Med. J. Aust. 188 (3): 171–6. PMID 18241179.
          ^ Zamula E (2001). "Shingles: An Unwelcome Encore". FDA Consum 35 (3): 21–5. PMID 11458545. http://www.fda.gov/fdac/features/2001/301_pox.html. Retrieved on 2007-12-15. Revised June 2005.
          ^ a b c d e Stankus SJ, Dlugopolski M, Packer D (2000). "Management of herpes zoster (shingles) and postherpetic neuralgia". Am Fam Physician 61 (8): 2437–44, 2447–8. PMID 10794584. http://www.aafp.org/afp/20000415/2437.html.
          ^ Katz J, Cooper EM, Walther RR, Sweeney EW, Dworkin RH (2004). "Acute pain in herpes zoster and its impact on health-related quality of life". Clin. Infect. Dis 39 (3): 342–8. doi:10.1086/421942. PMID 15307000. http://www.journals.uchicago.edu/doi/full/10.1086/421942.
          ^ Furuta Y, Ohtani F, Mesuda Y, Fukuda S, Inuyama Y (2000). "Early diagnosis of zoster sine herpete and antiviral therapy for the treatment of facial palsy". Neurology 55 (5): 708–10. PMID 10980741.
          ^ Shaikh S, Ta CN (2002). "Evaluation and management of herpes zoster ophthalmicus". Am Fam Physician 66 (9): 1723–1730. PMID 12449270. http://www.aafp.org/afp/20021101/1723.html.
          ^ Oranje AP, Folkers E (1988). "The Tzanck smear: old, but still of inestimable value". Pediatr Dermatol 5 (2): 127–9. doi:10.1111/j.1525-1470.1988.tb01154.x. PMID 2842739.
          ^ Chan J, Bergstrom RT, Lanza DC, Oas JG (2004). "Lateral sinus thrombosis associated with zoster sine herpete". Am J Otolaryngol 25 (5): 357–60. doi:10.1016/j.amjoto.2004.03.007. PMID 15334402.
          ^ Arvin AM (1996). "Varicella-zoster virus" (PDF). Clin. Microbiol. Rev 9 (3): 361–81. PMID 8809466. http://cmr.asm.org/cgi/reprint/9/3/361.pdf.
          ^ Beards G, Graham C, Pillay D (1998). "Investigation of vesicular rashes for HSV and VZV by PCR". J. Med. Virol 54 (3): 155–7. doi:10.1002/(SICI)1096-9071(199803)54:3<155::aid-jmv1>3.0.CO;2-4. PMID 9515761.
          ^ Stránská R, Schuurman R, de Vos M, van Loon AM. (2003). "Routine use of a highly automated and internally controlled real-time PCR assay for the diagnosis of herpes simplex and varicella-zoster virus infections". J Clin Virol. 30 (1): 39–44. doi:10.1016/j.jcv.2003.08.006. PMID 15072752.
          ^ a b Steiner I, Kennedy PG, Pachner AR (2007). "The neurotropic herpes viruses: herpes simplex and varicella-zoster". Lancet Neurol 6 (11): 1015–28. doi:10.1016/S1474-4422(07)70267-3. PMID 17945155.
          ^ a b Weinberg JM (2007). "Herpes zoster: epidemiology, natural history, and common complications". J Am Acad Dermatol 57 (6 Suppl): S130–5. doi:10.1016/j.jaad.2007.08.046. PMID 18021864.
          ^ Kennedy PG (2002). "Key issues in varicella-zoster virus latency". J. Neurovirol 8 Suppl 2: 80–4. doi:10.1080/13550280290101058. PMID 12491156.
          ^ Mitchell BM, Bloom DC, Cohrs RJ, Gilden DH, Kennedy PG (2003). "Herpes simplex virus-1 and varicella-zoster virus latency in ganglia" (PDF). J. Neurovirol 9 (2): 194–204. doi:10.1080/713831492. PMID 12707850. http://www.jneurovirol.com/o_pdf/9(2)/194-204.pdf.
          ^ a b c Thomas SL, Hall AJ (2004). "What does epidemiology tell us about risk factors for herpes zoster?". Lancet Infect Dis 4 (1): 26–33. doi:10.1016/S1473-3099(03)00857-0. PMID 14720565.
          ^ Schmader K (2007). "Herpes zoster and postherpetic neuralgia in older adults". Clin. Geriatr. Med. 23 (3): 615–32, vii–viii. doi:10.1016/j.cger.2007.03.003. PMID 17631237. http://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0749-0690(07)00021-3.
          ^ Schmader K (1999). "Herpes zoster in the elderly: issues related to geriatrics". Clin. Infect. Dis 28 (4): 736–9. doi:10.1086/515205. PMID 10825029.
          ^ Paryani SG, Arvin AM (1986). "Intrauterine infection with varicella-zoster virus after maternal varicella". N. Engl. J. Med. 314 (24): 1542–6. PMID 3012334.
          ^ Enders G, Miller E, Cradock-Watson J, Bolley I, Ridehalgh M (1994). "Consequences of varicella and herpes zoster in pregnancy: prospective study of 1739 cases". Lancet 343 (8912): 1548–51. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(94)92943-2. PMID 7802767.
          ^ Sørensen HT, Olsen JH, Jepsen P, Johnsen SP, Schønheyder HC, Mellemkjaer L (2004). "The risk and prognosis of cancer after hospitalisation for herpes zoster: a population-based follow-up study". Br. J. Cancer 91 (7): 1275–9. doi:10.1038/sj.bjc.6602120. PMID 15328522.
          ^ Ragozzino MW, Melton LJ, Kurland LT, Chu CP, Perry HO (1982). "Risk of cancer after herpes zoster: a population-based study". N. Engl. J. Med. 307 (7): 393–7. PMID 6979711.
          ^ a b c Tyring SK (2007). "Management of herpes zoster and postherpetic neuralgia". J Am Acad Dermatol 57 (6 Suppl): S136–42. doi:10.1016/j.jaad.2007.09.016. PMID 18021865.
          ^ Breuer J, Whitley R (2007). "Varicella zoster virus: natural history and current therapies of varicella and herpes zoster" (PDF). Herpes 14 (Suppl 2): 25–9. PMID 17939892. http://www.ihmf.org/journal/download/2%20-%20Herpes%2014.2%20suppl%20Breuer.pdf.
          ^ Baron R (2004). "Post-herpetic neuralgia case study: optimizing pain control". Eur. J. Neurol 11 Suppl 1: 3–11. doi:10.1111/j.1471-0552.2004.00794.x. PMID 15061819.
          ^ a b Whitley RJ, Weiss H, Gnann JW, Tyring S, Mertz GJ, Pappas PG, Schleupner CJ, Hayden F, Wolf J, Soong SJ (1996). "Acyclovir with and without prednisone for the treatment of herpes zoster. A randomized, placebo-controlled trial. The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Collaborative Antiviral Study Group". Ann. Intern. Med. 125 (5): 376–83. PMID 8702088.
          ^ Colin J, Prisant O, Cochener B, Lescale O, Rolland B, Hoang-Xuan T (2000). "Comparison of the Efficacy and Safety of Valaciclovir and Acyclovir for the Treatment of Herpes zoster Ophthalmicus". Ophthalmology 107 Number 8: 1507–11. doi:10.1016/S0161-6420(00)00222-0. PMID 10919899.
          ^ Osterberg L, Blaschke T (2005). "Adherence to medication". N Engl J Med 353 (5): 487–97. doi:10.1056/NEJMra050100. PMID 16079372.
          ^ Oxman MN, Levin MJ, Johnson GR, Schmader KE, Straus SE, Gelb LD et al. (2005). "A vaccine to prevent herpes zoster and postherpetic neuralgia in older adults". N Engl J Med 253 (22): 2271–84. doi:10.1056/NEJMoa051016. PMID 15930418.
          ^ Pellissier JM, Brisson M, Levin MJ (2007). "Evaluation of the cost-effectiveness in the United States of a vaccine to prevent herpes zoster and postherpetic neuralgia in older adults". Vaccine 25 (49): 8326–37. doi:10.1016/j.vaccine.2007.09.066. PMID 17980938.
          ^ Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (20 Nov 2007). "Recommended adult immunization schedule: United States, October 2007–September 2008". Ann Intern Med 147 (10): 725–9. PMID 17947396. http://www.annals.org/cgi/content/full/147/10/725.
          ^ Brisson M, Gay N, Edmunds W, Andrews N (2002). "Exposure to varicella boosts immunity to herpes-zoster: implications for mass vaccination against chickenpox". Vaccine 20 (19–20): 2500–7. doi:10.1016/S0264-410X(02)00180-9. PMID 12057605.
          ^ NHS Direct (2008-02-07). "Why isn’t the chickenpox vaccine available in the UK?". http://www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk/articles/article.aspx?articleId=1032. Retrieved on 2008-03-22.
          ^ Health Protection Agency (2006-05-11). "Chickenpox / Varicella — General Information". http://www.hpa.org.uk/infections/topics_az/chickenpox/gen_info.htm. Retrieved on 2008-03-22.
          ^ Thomas SL, Wheeler JG, Hall AJ (2006). "Micronutrient intake and the risk of herpes zoster: a case-control study". Int J Epidemiol 35 (2): 307–14. doi:10.1093/ije/dyi270. PMID 16330478. http://ije.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/content/full/35/2/307.
          ^ Apisarnthanarak A, Kitphati R, Tawatsupha P, Thongphubeth K, Apisarnthanarak P, Mundy LM (2007). "Outbreak of varicella-zoster virus infection among Thai healthcare workers". Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 28 (4): 430–4. doi:10.1086/512639. PMID 17385149.
          ^ Abendroth A, Arvin AM (2001). "Immune evasion as a pathogenic mechanism of varicella zoster virus". Semin. Immunol. 13 (1): 27–39. doi:10.1006/smim.2001.0293. PMID 11289797.
          ^ Strangfeld A, Listing J; Herzer P; et al. (2009). "Risk of herpes zoster in patients with rheumatoid arthritis treated With anti–TNF-α agents". J Am Med Assoc 301 (7): 737–744.
          ^ a b Weller TH (1997). "Varicella-herpes zoster virus". in Evans AS, Kaslow RA. Viral Infections of Humans: Epidemiology and Control. Plenum Press. pp. 865–92. ISBN 978-0306448553.
          ^ Wharton M (1996). "The epidemiology of varicella-zoster virus infections". Infect Dis Clin North Am 10 (3): 571–81. doi:10.1016/S0891-5520(05)70313-5. PMID 8856352.
          ^ Insinga RP (2005). "The incidence of herpes zoster in a United States administrative database". J Gen Intern Med 20 (6): 748–753. doi:10.1111/j.1525-1497.2005.0150.x. PMID 16050886.
          ^ Marin M, Güris D, Chaves SS, Schmid S, Seward JF (2007). "Prevention of varicella: recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP)". MMWR Recomm Rep 56 (RR-4): 1–40. PMID 17585291. http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/rr5604a1.htm.
          ^ Volpi A (2007). "Severe complications of herpes zoster" (PDF). Herpes 14 (Suppl 2): 35A–9A. PMID 17939894. http://www.ihmf.org/journal/download/4%20-%20Herpes%2014.2%20suppl%20Volpi.pdf.
          ^ Coplan P, Black S, Rojas C (2001). "Incidence and hospitalization rates of varicella and herpes zoster before varicella vaccine introduction: a baseline assessment of the shifting epidemiology of varicella disease". Pediatr Infect Dis J 20 (7): 641–5. doi:10.1097/00006454-200107000-00002. PMID 11465834.
          ^ Weaver BA (01 Mar 2007). "The burden of herpes zoster and postherpetic neuralgia in the United States". J Am Osteopath Assoc 107 (3 Suppl): S2–7. PMID 17488884. http://www.jaoa.org/cgi/content/full/107/suppl_1/S2.
          ^ Hicks LD, Cook-Norris RH, Mendoza N, Madkan V, Arora A, Tyring SK (May 2008). "Family history as a risk factor for herpes zoster: a case-control study". Arch Dermatol 144 (5): 603–8. doi:10.1001/archderm.144.5.603. PMID 18490586.
          ^ Weller TH (2000). "Chapter 1. Historical perspective". in Arvin AM, Gershon AA. Varicella-Zoster Virus: Virology and Clinical Management. Cambridge University Press. ISBN 0521660246.
          ^ Weller TH (1953). "Serial propagation in vitro of agents producing inclusion bodies derived from varicella and herpes zoster". Proc. Soc. Exp. Biol. Med. 83 (2): 340–6. PMID 13064265.
          ^ Holt LE, McIntosh R (1936). Holt's Diseases of Infancy and Childhood. D Appleton Century Company. pp. 931–3.
          ^ Hope-Simpson RE (1965). "The nature of herpes zoster; a long-term study and a new hypothesis". Proc R Soc Med 58: 9–20. PMID 14267505.

          [edit] External links
          NINDS Shingles Information Page, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
          Herpes zoster at the Open Directory Project
          Links to pictures of Shingles (Hardin MD) University of Iowa
          After Shingles—Information about Shingles and Post-Herpetic Neuralgia, from the Visiting Nurses Associations of America
          Facts About The Cornea and Corneal Disease: Herpes Zoster (Shingles), National Eye Institute
          [show]
          vdeDiseases of the skin and appendages by morphology
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          [show]
          vdeVaricella zoster
          Infections
          Chickenpox - Herpes zoster - Postherpetic neuralgia
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          Varicella zoster virus - Varicella vaccine - Zostavax - Pox party
          Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Herpes_zoster"
          Categories: Infectious skin diseases Viral diseases Herpesviruses


          http://www.blackwellpublishing.com/racs2006/abstract.asp?id=51190
          The Royal Australasian College of Surgeons Annual Scientific Congress15-19 May 2006, Sydney Convention & Exhibition Centre, Darling Harbour, Sydney.

          PANCREATITIS SECONDARY TO HERPES ZOSTER: A NEW CLINICAL ENTITY WITH TREATMENT IMPLICATIONS
          Abstract number: GS021P

          Purpose
          Herpes zoster is the reactivation of latent varicella-zoster virus from the dorsal root ganglion and presents with a unilateral vesicular rash of dermatomal distribution. This reactivation can affect other organs or present as disseminated disease. Six case reports of pancreatitis in the setting of primary disseminated varicella are published. These patients were predominantly immunocompromised and suffered high morbidity and mortality. We describe two cases of pancreatitis secondary to herpes zoster. To our knowledge this association is not described.

          Methodology
          An 86 year old female and a 69 year old male presented with acute pancreatitis of mild severity. A vesicular rash of the eighth thoracic dermatome predated this presentation by ten and six days respectively.

          Results
          Elevated serum lipase >2000 U/L (<286 U/L) peaked in both patients ten days after the onset of the herpes zoster rash. Computerised tomography confirmed pancreatitis. Both described prior cholecystectomy, denied recent alcohol ingestion or abdominal trauma, had normal serum lipids and were not prescribed medications known to precipitate pancreatitis. With conservative ward management, both recovered, being discharged five days after admission.

          Conclusion

          We propose that these cases of pancreatitis were secondary to herpes zoster. This assertion is supported by the exclusion of alternate aetiology; the rash preceding by days the peak of serum lipase; and the involvement of the eighth thoracic nerve root that also supplies visceral sensation to the pancreas. This association is of clinical importance as treatment with antiviral medications may aid the resolution of pancreatic symptoms.

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