Classification of pancreatitis

Abstract

The Marseille classification has been of great value in categorising pancreatic inflammatory disease, in particular the single acute event (acute pancreatitis) or the persisting disease state with residual damage (chronic pancreatitis). In practice the intermediate categories of 'relapsing acute' and 'chronic relapsing' are less easy to use. A single attack of acute pancreatitis may leave function and/or anatomy altered for some time. On the other hand, a patient with silent underlying disease may first present with an acute attack. Only two clinical types of pancreatitis need be recognised - acute, or chronic with residual damage. Definitions should be expanded to include aetiology which predicts prognosis, and statements of function and morphological damage which can now be made more precisely. Markers in blood or pancreatic juice may eventually define important subgroups. An agreed terminology is an essential basis for further understanding and study.