Santorinicele without pancreas divisum pathophysiology: initial clinical and radiographic investigations

Abstract

BackgroundOnly one case of santorinicele without pancreas divisum pathophysiology (SWOPP) was previously reported. The purpose of the study was to determine the gross prevalence of SWOPP and santorinicele with pancreas divisum (SWPD) in community and patient populations, and investigate their clinical and radiographic features.MethodsThis cross-sectional study was performed at a tertiary referral centre. The Patient group comprised 2035 consecutive patients enrolled in the study who underwent magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) studies. The Community group comprised 2905 consecutive subjects who participated in our whole-body medical check-up program that routinely includes MRCP studies. SWOPP was diagnosed when a saccular dilatation of the terminal portion of the dorsal pancreatic duct was observed unaccompanied by pancreas divisum or dominant dorsal duct. The prevalence of SWOPP and SWPD, and the clinical and radiological features were assessed in each group.ResultsFive cases of SWOPP were found in the Patient group (age range, 67–85 years; mean age, 73.6 years) (5/2035 = 0.25%; 95% confidence interval, 0.07–0.57); there were no cases of SWOPP in the Community group (0/2905 = 0.00%; 95% confidence interval, 0.00–0.10) (P = 0.01). Previous history of pancreatitis (4/5) and chronic pancreatitis (3/5) was more common in patients with SWOPP than in other subjects in the Patient or Community groups (both P < 0.05). Two cases of SWOPP were accompanied by reverse-Z type meandering main pancreatic duct. Six cases of SWPD were found. These cases were asymptomatic in 4/6, had a larger santorinicele (6.9 mm) than SWOPP patients (4.5 mm; P = 0.02), and were not associated with pancreatitis (0/6).ConclusionsThe second to sixth reported cases of SWOPP were presented. SWOPP is a relatively rare condition found mostly in patients suffering pancreatitis, especially chronic pancreatitis, and may be an acquired condition. Santorinicele is not always accompanied by pancreas divisum.

Anatomical pancreatic variants in intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm patients: a cross-sectional study

“…Interestingly, santoriniceles were only observed among IPMN patients (6 cases). In addition, one patient without pancreas divisum exhibited santorinicele, a phenomenon also reported in previous studies [22,23].…”

“…Four different types of pancreas divisum have been identified: complete [ 7 ], incomplete [ 15 ], absent ventral duct [ 16 , 17 ], and reverse pancreas divisum [ 6 , 15 , 18 – 20 ]. Santorinicele, a focal dilatation of the terminal portion of the duct of Santorini [ 15 ], primarily associates with pancreas divisum and a relative obstruction at the minor papilla [ 7 , 21 ], although it can appear in individuals who do not have pancreas divisum [ 22 , 23 ].…”

Recurrent pancreatitis in the setting of gallbladder agenesis, ansa pancreatica, Santorinicoele and eventual intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasia (IPMN)

“… 16 However, to the best of our knowledge, to date, there have been six cases of santorinicoele without pancreas divisum. 16 , 17 Gonoi et al (2013) 17 conducted a cross-sectional study to report five cases of the above and were able to conclude that the santorinicoele is not always accompanied by pancreas divisum. They further established that such entity is most common in patients who suffer from pancreatitis, especially chronic pancreatitis; suggesting that santorinicoele may be an acquired pathology.…”

The Pancreas and Known Factors of Acute Pancreatitis

“…Santorini cele, a focal cystic dilatation of the terminal part of the dorsal pancreatic duct, is a rare disorder that occurs in patients with pancreatitis, mainly chronic pancreatitis. In most cases it is accompanied by pancreas divisum [ 16 ].…”