Pancreatic parenchymal changes seen on endoscopic ultrasound are dynamic in the setting of fatty pancreas: A short-term follow-up study

Abstract

Objectives: The impact of fatty pancreas on pancreatic parenchymal changes is unclear. The aim of this study is to assess parenchymal alterations over time in patients with fatty pancreas (FP).

Methods: This is a retrospective study (2014-2021) of patients with FP identified on endoscopic ultrasound (EUS). Subjects with follow up imaging studies including Computed Tomography (CT) scan, Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), and EUS at least two years after the initial EUS were included.

Results: A total of 39 patients with a mean age of 51.21 ± 12.34 years were included. Mean initial weight was 80.17 ± 17.75 kg. Diabetes, hepatic steatosis, and EPI were present in 15%, 46% and 33% of the patients at baseline, respectively. In 25 patients with available follow up EUS over 2.4 ± 0.76 years, 16% progressed to chronic pancreatitis (CP) and 24% had progressive parenchymal changes without meeting the criteria for CP. One patient progressed from focal to diffuse FP, while one patient had resolution of FP. In multivariate analysis, progressive parenchymal changes on EUS were associated with an increase in weight over time (p-value 0.04), independent of the effects of gender, alcohol, or tobacco.

Conclusion: Progressive parenchymal changes were noted in 44%. Our result suggests that FP is a dynamic process with the possibility of progression or regression over time.

Keywords: Chronic pancreatitis; Endoscopic ultrasound; Fatty pancreas; Obesity; Parenchymal changes.