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Published on: April 18, 2015
[Cross sectional imaging findings in ectopic pancreatitis]
W Wiesner1, W Schwizer, W Steinbrich
1Institut für Radiologie, Klinik Stephanshorn, St. Gallen. walter.wiesner@stephanshorn.ch
Ectopic pancreas, often linked with pancreas divisum, can be identified using MDCT scans. Advanced imaging like MRT may be necessary for diagnosing ectopic pancreatitis when CT findings are nonspecific.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology and Hepatology
- Diagnostic Imaging
- Embryology
Background:
- Ectopic pancreas is a congenital anomaly where pancreatic tissue is found outside its normal location.
- Pancreas divisum is a common congenital anomaly of the pancreatic duct system.
- The association between pancreas divisum and ectopic pancreas is not widely recognized.
Observation:
- MDCT identified ectopic pancreatic tissue in the duodenal bulb in one patient.
- In the second patient, MDCT showed nonspecific inflammation, but MRT revealed ectopic pancreas.
- Both patients presented with pancreas divisum.
Findings:
- MDCT can detect ectopic pancreas, particularly when it's clearly delineated.
- Nonspecific inflammatory changes on CT may indicate ectopic pancreatitis.
- MRT is valuable for confirming ectopic pancreas in cases with ambiguous CT findings.
Implications:
- Familiarity with pancreatic embryology aids in interpreting imaging findings.
- Recognizing the association between pancreas divisum and ectopic pancreas improves diagnostic accuracy.
- Multimodality imaging is crucial for diagnosing ectopic pancreatitis, especially when CT is inconclusive.
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