A, The microscopic field shows a region of fat necrosis (right), and focal pancreatic parenchymal necrosis (center). B, The pancreas has been sectioned longitudinally to reveal dark areas of hemorrhage in the pancreatic substance and a focal area of pale fat necrosis in the peripancreatic fat (arrow).
Acute pancreatitis
Yellow-tan foci of fat necrosis are visible throughout the hyperemic pancreas, which has been sectioned in half. There is some edema, but no hemorrhage in this case of mild acute pancreatitis.
Acute pancreatitis
The fat necrosis consists of fat cells that have lost their nuclei and whose cytoplasm has a granular pink appearance. Some hemorrhage is seen at the left in this case.
Acute pancreatitis
At high magnification, acute inflammation with necrosis and hemorrhage is seen with residual pancreatic acini in a case of acute hemorrhagic pancreatitis.
Acute hemorrhagic pancreatitis
This is hardly recognizable as pancreas because a large pancreatic pseudocyst has formed. Seen here at autopsy is the opened pseudocyst extending from hilum of liver to the right of the photograph. It has an irregular red to brown to black inner surface.
Pancreatic pseudocyst
A, Cross-section revealing a poorly defined cyst with a necrotic wall. B, Histologically the cyst lacks a true epithelial lining and instead is lined by fibrin, granulation tissue, and chronic inflammation.
Pancreatic pseudocyst
This low power photomicrograph demonstrates scattered chronic inflammatory cells in a collagenous stroma with a few remaining islets of Langerhans in a case of chronic pancreatitis. Chronic alcoholism is a common cause for this condition.
Chronic pancreatitis
A, Extensive fibrosis and atrophy has left only residual islets (left) and ducts (right), with a sprinkling of chronic inflammatory cells and acinar tissue. B, A higher power view demonstrating dilated ducts with inspissated eosinophilic concretions in a patient with alcoholic chronic pancreatitis.
Chronic pancreatitis