J Korean Soc Radiol.  2010 Jul;63(1):83-86. 10.3348/jksr.2010.63.1.83.

Ansa Pancreatica: A Case Report of a Type of Ductal Variation in a Patient with Idiopathic Acute Recurrent Pancreatitis

• Kim HM
• Park JY
• Kim MJ

• KMID: 2208892
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3348/jksr.2010.63.1.83

Abstract

Ansa pancreatica is a rare type of pancreatic ductal variation. Recently, ansa pancreatic has been considered as a predisposing factor in patients with idiopathic acute pancreatitis. To the best of our knowledge, no previously published report in Korea has described ansa pancreatica. We report a case of acute recurrent pancreatitis with ansa pancreatica, which was revealed on magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP).

MeSH Terms

Cholangiopancreatography, Magnetic Resonance
Humans
Korea
Pancreatic Diseases
Pancreatic Ducts
Pancreatitis

Figure

• 

  Fig. 1 A 15-year-old man with acute recurrent pancreatitis. A. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography shows peripancreatic fat infiltration and fluid collection (arrows), and diffuse low attenuation of liver compared to spleen. B. Endoscopic retrograde pancreatography demonstrates common bile duct and gallbladder. Pancreatic duct was not visulaized.

• 

  Fig. 2 Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (A) and a serial anterior to posterior coronal T2 weighted single-shot turbo spin-echo image (B) reveal that a loop branch (white arrowheads) arises from the main pancreatic duct (asterisk) and fuse into the ventral duct which opens into the major papilla. Dorsal pancreatic duct (empty arrowheads) opens into the minor papilla. (B: TE = 80 msec, echo-train length = 78, section thickness = 3 mm, intersection gap = 2 mm, white arrows: common bile duct).

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  Fig. 3 Image depicting the ansa pancreatica. A. A accessory pancreatic duct arises from the main pancreatic duct and loops to terminate at or near the minor papilla. B. A looping branch formed the main connection between the main pancreatic duct and accessory pancreatic duct with its convexity towards the duodenum.

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