Abstract
Tropical chronic pancreatitis (TCP) is a unique juvenile nonalcoholic form of chronic
pancreatitis prevalent in tropical developing countries. TCP is characterized by the
younger age of onset, rapid progression, higher prevalence of diabetes and pancreatic
calculi, and greater propensity to develop pancreatic malignancy. Identifying the
distinct imaging features is critical for the diagnosis of TCP. Awareness of this
condition will not only enable the radiologist to recognize it early but also help
in better management. In this article, we review the etiopathogenesis, distinct imaging
features, and complications of TCP.
Keywords
chronic calcific pancreatitis - tropical pancreatitis - mutation - computed tomography
- magnetic resonance imaging - pancreatic malignancy