Double major papilla: diagnostic challenge of an unusual anatomical variant
Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 27, 2025

Denver Papillae Protocol for Objective Analysis of Fungiform Papillae
Published on: June 8, 2015
Clara Amiama Roig1, Rubén Fernández Martos2, Eduardo Martín Arranz2
1Aparato Digestivo, Hospital Universitario La Paz, España.
Abstract:
We report the endoscopic finding of a double papilla of Vater in a patient presenting choledocholithiasis who underwent endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). The images showed the presence of two perfectly delimited papillary orifices, 1cm apart from each other. After cannulation of each orifice, we observed the Wirsung and the common bile duct (CBD) as completely independent ducts. Given the diagnostic challenge posed by this entity and the importance of differentiating it from a bilioenteric fistula, we believe it is worth knowing about it in order to manage it properly and to minimize secondary risks during the exploration.

