Pancreatitis in teenagers.

Pancreatitis in teenagers is rare and has not received attention in the medical literature. A retrospective study was conducted to identify unique factors in this age group. Clinical data, cause, radiographic evaluation, operative procedure, and outcome were reviewed in 21 teenagers. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography and computerized axial tomography proved to be valuable in determining the etiology and the role and type of operation. Causes of disease were varied but were established in 86 percent of patients; as a group, teenagers were unlike children or adults in their disease characteristics. A high percentage of teenagers required operation (76 percent), with most benefiting from surgery (88 percent).