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Kim, Park, and Kim: Ansa Pancreatica: A Case Report of a Type of Ductal Variation in a Patient with Idiopathic Acute Recurrent Pancreatitis
Pediatric Radiology
Case Report

Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology 2010; 63(1): 83-86.

Published online: 31 July 2010

DOI: https://doi.org/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

Hye Mi Kim, M.D., Jung Yup Park, M.D.2, Myeong-Jin Kim, M.D.

1Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea.

2Department of International Medicine, Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea.

Address reprint requests to: Myeong-Jin Kim, M.D., Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, 134 Shinchon-dong, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul 120-752, Korea. Tel. 82-2-2228-7400, Fax. 82-2-393-3035, kimnex@yuhs.ac

Received 20 January 2010       Accepted 17 March 2010

Copyright © 2010 The Korean Society of Radiology

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).

Keywords: Pancreatic Ducts, Pancreatitis, Cholangiopancreatography, Magnetic Resonance, Pancreatic Diseases

Figures and Tables

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.
jksr-63-83-g001
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).

jksr-63-83-g002
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.
jksr-63-83-g003

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