Experimental pancreatolithiasis in the dog.

Little is known about the pathogenesis of pancreatolithiasis, and although several theories have been proposed, no experimental models of pancreatic calculi production are documented in the literature. This study examines such a model in which partial or complete pancreatic duct obstruction was surgically created in dogs. We found that (1) pancreatic calculi were demonstrated in 46.7% of the dogs (14 of 30) with partial outflow obstruction for 4 months or longer; (2) no pancreatic calculi were found in any of the dogs with complete pancreatic duct obstruction; (3) all calculi produced were localized in the ductal system; (4) the organic and inorganic composition of canine and human pancreatic calculi were quite similar; and (5) connective tissue proliferation and mucous cell metaplasia of the ductal epithelium, often seen in association with clinical pancreatolithiasis, are also detected in the pancreata of dogs that have had partial obstruction of pancreatic excretion. These findings suggest that an experimental model of pancreatolithiasis can be accomplished in dogs by the partial obstruction of pancreatic excretion.