Dr. Lee was born in Shanghai, China, and received his college and medical training in the United States. He is fluent in English and three Chinese dialects. He graduated with chemistry departmental honors from Harvey Mudd College. He was appointed president of AOA society at UCLA School of Medicine. He underwent internal medicine residency and gastroenterology fellowship training at Cedars Sinai Medical Center.
Jay W. Marks, MD, is a board-certified internist and gastroenterologist. He graduated from Yale University School of Medicine and trained in internal medicine and gastroenterology at UCLA/Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles.
The most accurate test to diagnose pancreas divisum is ERCP, which can
demonstrate the presence of two separately draining pancreatic ducts. However,
ERCP itself sometimes can cause attacks of pancreatitis. Other tests that can
help diagnose pancreas divisum without the risk of causing pancreatitis include
endoscopic ultrasound (EUS), and MRI (magnetic resonance imaging).
How is pancreas divisum treated?
Pancreas divisum without symptoms needs no treatment.
Treatment of patients with abdominal pain and recurrent pancreatitis
attributable to pancreas divisum has not been well established. Some doctors
will attempt sphincterotomy (cutting of the minor papilla during ERCP to enlarge
its opening). Others will insert a stent during ERCP into the duct to prevent
duct blockage. These procedures are not risk free. Therefore, patients with
symptomatic pancreas divisum are best
evaluated and treated by doctors in centers experienced in treating pancreatic
diseases.
Pancreatitis is a rare disease in which the pancreas becomes inflamed, occurring when digestive enzymes are activated and begin attacking the pancreas causing damage to the gland. There are two types of pancreatitis, acute and chronic. Most commonly caused by alcohol or gallstones, it can lead to bleeding in the gland, serious tissue damage, infection, and cysts. Enzymes and toxins may then enter the bloodstream and seriously injure organs, such as the heart, lungs, and kidney.
Digestion is the complex process of turning food you eat into the energy you need to survive. The digestive process also involves creating waste to be eliminated, and is made of a series of muscles that coordinate the movement of food.