Classification

In 1963，the Marseilles classification first proposed the substances of acute and chronic pancreatitis，both with relapsing and non-relapsing variants（Sarles 1965）.In the following years，Cambridge classification and M-ANNHEIM classification（Schneider et al.2007）were proposed to depart obstructive CP from other types of CP（Sarner and Cotton 1984；Singer et al.1985；Sarles 1991）.Table 2.1 lists a variety of CP classification systems that have appeared in history.

The M-ANNHEIM classification which is most commonly used in clinical practice nowadays provides simultaneously a simple standardized system for the clinical classification of chronic pancreatitis according to etiology，clinical stage，and severity of the disease，and it is usually suitable for directing clinicians.On the whole，the classification is based on recent research of the mechanism of CP（Etemad and Whitcomb 2001；Lankisch and Banks 1998），epidemiological studies（Lin et al.2000），recent genetic findings（Cohn et al.2005；Bishop et al.2005），insights gained from experimental studies.

Table 2.1　Previous classifications of chronic pancreatitis（Schneider et al.2007）(https://www.daowen.com)

US ultrasonography，CT computed tomography，ERCP endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography