CLINICAL INVESTIGATION OF PANCREAS DIVISUM ASSOCIATED WITH PANCREATITIS

Abstract

In the past 8 years, 1, 200 patients underwent endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) in our department. Pancreas divisum was diagnosed in 13 patients, an overall incidence of 1.1% of total pancreatogram. Although all patients had recurrent episodes of upper abdominal pain, definite evidence of pancreatitis was obtained in six patients who were alcoholic. Two patients among seven cases without pancreatitis was alcoholic. These results suggested that the exsistence of pancreas divisum itself did not cause pancreatitis but alcohol might play an important role as a cause of pancreatitis in addition to insufficient drainage through Santorini's duct.