Clinico-pathological conditions associated with pancreas divisum

Nonfusion of the pancreatic ducts (pancreas divisum) was diagnosed in 41 of 812 patients in whom ERCP provided a definite diagnosis (5.04% of cases). Pancreas divisum was significantly associated with diseases of the pancreas. Chronic pancreatitis was less frequently observed in cases of pancreas divisum whereas acute pancreatitis, especially acute recurrent pancreatitis, was statistically more frequently seen in patients in whom the anomaly was present. These results support the hypothesis that pancreas divisum favours the development of acute pancreatitis.