Pathogenesis and mechanisms of pain in chronic pancreatitis

虽然慢性胰腺炎的病理已经十分清楚，但其早期的致病机制尚不明确。慢性胰腺炎的一般特点为纤维化，慢性炎症和胰腺实质的消失，这些特征会随着疾病的发展而逐渐出现，同时还伴有急性胰腺炎的症状。一些专家认为慢性胰腺炎继发于急性胰腺炎。另一些则认为慢性胰腺炎首先发生，急性胰腺炎则在此基础上发生。慢性胰腺炎所引起的疼痛可通过许多机制发生。增高的胰腺压力可干扰神经，影响血流，改变pH值，并引起有毒物质的潴留，激活动作电位。组织的破坏和炎症介质的释放可刺激传入神经。甚至，炎症可直接破坏神经，引起神经性疼痛。掌握疼痛在外周和中枢神经系统中的神经冲动传递路径才能找出减轻胰性疼痛的有效方法。疼痛可以通过内脏、迷走、脊神经和膈神经等外周神经传递。它也可通过脊髓的背侧神经束和脊髓丘脑束中继传递。因此寻找到新的治疗胰性疼痛的方法是可能的。

Pathogenesis and mechanisms of pain in chronic pancreatitis

The pathology of chronic pancreatitis is well known but the early events leading to the condition are less certain. Common characteristics of chronic pancreatitis, including fibrosis, chronic inflammation, and disappearance of parenchyma, usually are well established by the time tissue can be studied. Characteristics of acute pancreatitis may co exist. Some experts assert that chronic pancreatitis begins with acute pancreatitis. Others consider that chronic pancreatitis develops first, and acute attacks occur on this background. The pain associated with chronic pancreatitis can be initiated through a variety of mechanisms. Increased pressure may distort nerves, affect blood flow, change pH, and cause retention of noxious substances, initiating action potentials. Tissue destruction and inflammation release biologically active materials capable of activating afferent nerves. Furthermore, inflammation damages nerves directly, triggering neuropathic pain. Understanding the neural pathways in the periphery and central nervous system that transmit impulses interpreted as pain should suggest the best methods for alleviating pancreatic pain. Pain may be transmitted through splanchnic, vagus, spinal, and phrenic peripheral nerves. It may be relayed through the dorsal columns of the spinal cord in addition to the spinothalamic tract. New methods of treating pancreatic pain therefore are possible.