A clinician's perspective on chronic pancreatitis--2002.

The diagnosis and management of chronic pancreatitis represents a significant challenge to clinicians. Progress is being made in our understanding of this disease, especially in the area of genetics and molecular biology. Despite these advances, diagnosis of early-stage disease depends on indirect tests, and management is limited to relief of obstruction if present. This review will concentrate on mild to moderate chronic pancreatitis and explore the current state of the diagnosis and management of this disease.