[Duodenal stenosis in chronic relapsing pancreatitis (author's transl)]

Duodenal stenosis in chronic relapsing pancreatitis occurs in 20% of our patients. In 21 of our cases, the stenosis was always in the descending portion of the duodenum, and in two-thirds it caused an obstruction. The stenosis is always concentric with destruction of the mucosal pattern, widening of the neighbouring folds, irregular contours, and, possibly, straightening of the medial margin of the duodenum. There may be widening of the duodenal loop and frequently the duodenal loop is dilated. The causes for these appearances vary, but a peri-pancreatitis or duodenitis are most frequent. There is no close relationship with the severity of the pancreatitis. Our findings are compared with the small number of reports to be found in the literature.