Case: 138

Pancreas Divisum

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History: 75 yo female with abdominal fullness and bloating.
Solution: Pancreas divisum occurs when the ventral pancreas and the dorsal pancreas do not normally fuse during fetal development. In this scenario, the ventral pancreas is drained through the duct of Wirsung into the major papilla, but the dorsal pancreas drains through the duct of Santorini into the minor papilla (this is what you see in this case with the CBD still extending inferiorly (arrowhead) and the main pancreatic duct draining into the duodenum (arrow))



This is often an incidental finding, but can associated with pancreatitis. Only needs treatment if symptomatic.

CT Images

Questions

The abnormality is centered in the:
  • pancreas
  • kidney
  • liver
  • vasculature
  • retroperitoneum
  • bowel
This is most likely an incidental finding.
True
What is the diagnosis?
Pancreas divisum