Presentation
Recently detected diabetic. Patient was advised CT to rule out chronic pancreatitis.
Patient Data
Plain and contrast-enhanced images of upper abdomen show absent pancreatic neck, body and tail with normal appearing patent splenic vein. Only head and uncinate process of pancreas are seen, which appear normal. These features are consistent with complete agenesis of dorsal pancreas.
No parenchymal calcifications or ductal dilatation is seen to suggest chronic pancreatitis.
Geographical areas of fatty infiltration of right lobe of liver noted.
Axial contrast enhanced annotated image shows the presence of only head and uncinate process of pancreas.
Body and tail of pancreas are not seen.
Case Discussion
Pancreas develops from small ventral and large dorsal pancreatic buds, which eventually fuse to form the pancreas.
Complete agenesis of dorsal pancreas is rare and is characterized by complete absence of body and tail. Varying degrees of partial agenesis of dorsal pancreas can be seen incidentally.