Interstitial fibrosis in the pancreas.

Pancreas specimens from 76 autopsies were examined histologically to evaluate the degree and extent of interstitial fibrosis (IF) and its clinicopathologic relationships. Fifty-two cases (68%) showed IF, a fairly high prevalence, that was not statistically related to age. There was a significantly higher prevalence of IF in patients with diabetes mellitus, most of whom had type 2 diabetes. No statistically significant relationships between IF and the cause of death or other clinical conditions were found. Acinar atrophy, periductal fibrosis, and nonpapillary ductal hyperplasia were often associated with IF. All cases with periductal fibrosis (PF) also showed IF, so PF may be a part of this process. Eight cases (11%) of chronic terminal pancreatitis were noted, which is defined as a lesion of moderate to severe chronic inflammation and various degree of IF in cases without any clinical evidence of pancreatic disease before death.