Jaundice and chronic pancreatitis.

A study was conducted on a group of 48 patients presenting with jaundice during the course of chronic pancreatitis. Two different patterns of symptoms could be opposed: (1) Short-lasting cholestatic jaundice which is accompanied by pain, but free from pruritus and fever, is linked to a medium consumption of alcohol, occurs in the course of advanced chronic pancreatitis and seems to be the consequence of a stricture of the main bile duct due to pancreatic lesions. (2) Protracted, intense jaundice which is linked to a high alcohol consumption, is encountered among less-advanced cases of chronic pancreatitis, the main bile duct being generally normal. In such a case, direct toxic effect of alcohol on the liver must be questioned.