Pancreas divisum

• Illustrations
• Definition
• Causes, incidence, and risk factors
• Symptoms
• Signs and tests

• Treatment
• Expectations (prognosis)
• Complications
• Calling your health care provider
• Prevention

Definition    Return to top

Pancreas divisum is a congenital (present from birth) defect in which parts of the pancreas to fail to fuse together.

Causes, incidence, and risk factors    Return to top

In this condition, the ducts of the pancreas are affected. In many cases this defect goes undetected. The cause of the defect is unknown. However, if the pancreatic ducts become obstructed, symptoms similar to pancreatitis may develop. Pancreas divisum affects about 5% of the general population.

Symptoms    Return to top

• Abdominal pain
• Nausea or vomiting
• Abdominal distention

Signs and tests    Return to top

• An ERCP (endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography)
• Elevated blood amylase and lipase
• Abdominal CT scan

Treatment    Return to top

If a person has symptoms of this condition or has had recurrent pancreatitis, surgical bypass or reconstruction of the malformed pancreatic ducts may be indicated to relieve obstruction.

Expectations (prognosis)    Return to top

The probable outcome is good with treatment.

Complications    Return to top

The main complication of pancreas divisum is pancreatitis.

Calling your health care provider    Return to top

Call for an appointment with your health care provider if symptoms of this disorder develop.

Prevention    Return to top

Because this condition is present at birth, there is no known prevention.