Pancreas divisum unmasked: a case report

Pancreas divisum occurs during development when the ventral and dorsal buds of the pancreas do not fuse. It is the most common congenital anomaly of the pancreas. Patients with this condition are usually asymptomatic, but almost 25% of these patients experience recurrent pancreatitis, which may progress to chronic pancreatitis. This is a case of a 16-year-old male with a significant history of recurrent pancreatitis. The patient underwent a computed tomography scan which revealed pancreatitis. Further magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography supported the diagnosis of pancreatic divisum. This case highlights the importance of considering even rare etiologies such as pancreas divisum in unexplained cases of recurrent pancreatitis. After ruling out the obvious etiologies (gallstones, alcohol intake, metabolic disorders), it is recommended to demand a magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) to better analyze the anatomy of the biliary and the pancreatic ductal systems. Early confirmation of the underlying etiology and aggravating factors can improve patient outcomes and prevent the recurrence of pancreatitis.