The incidence and clinical relevance of chronic inflammation in the pancreas in autopsy material.

In 394 consecutive autopies, tissue from the body of the pancreas showed chronic inflammation in 52 cases (13%); 32 were mild, 11 moderate and 9 severe. Only two of these cases had the clinical diagnosis chronic pancreatitis. The incidence of inspissated plugs of protein in the ducts, dilated ducts and acinar ectasia was significantly higher when chronic inflammation was present. There was a significant higher incidence of chronic inflammation in the pancreas in patients with diabetes mellitus. No significant correlation was noted between chronic inflammation in the pancreas and cholelithiasis, previous cholecystectomy, peritonitis, gastric and duodenal ulcer, abdominal operations, ascites and liver metastases.