Pancreas divisum

Case contributed by Henry Knipe
Diagnosis certain

Presentation

Epigastric pain.

Patient Data

Age: 70 years
Gender: Male
ct

Swelling of the pancreatic head and uncinate process with associated fat stranding and a small volume of peripancreatic fluid. Homogeneous pancreatic enhancement with no evidence of necrosis. No biliary dilatation or radiopaque duct stones. Previous cholecystectomy. 

On testing, the lipase was elevated and the patient was admitted for acute pancreatitis. No complications during admission and the patient was referred for a follow-up outpatient MRCP/MR pancreas to determine any underlying cause. 

mri

Pancreas divisum: the main pancreatic duct drains via the duct of Santorini into the minor papilla. The duct of Wirsung joins with the common bile duct to drain at the major papilla. No pancreatic duct dilatation. No pancreatic mass. No biliary dilatation. No choledocholithiasis. 

Case Discussion

Pancreas divisum is an uncommon cause of pancreatitis and is mostly an incidental radiological finding.

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