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Anatomical features of the minor duodenal papilla in pancreas divisum

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Abstract

Background

Clinical expression of pancreas divisum is often explained as a consequence of relative or true stenosis of the minor papilla with dorsal duct obstruction. This anatomo-functional study of the minor papilla in pancreas divisum has included its topographical, functional and structural features.

Materials and methods

The study was carried out on 37 human autopsy specimens of duodenopancreas, which underwent pancreatography, manometrically controlled perfusion and light microscopy.

Results

One pancreas divisum was detected in the study group. In this case, the distances between the minor and the major papilla was 24.0 mm, and between the minor papilla and the superior duodenal flexure 27.4 mm. The minor papilla was patent when perfused under pressure of 10 mmHg, and its light microscopy revealed regular global histological organization with only light fibrosis and no cellular atypia.

Conclusions

The structure and position of the minor papilla in pancreas divisum did not significantly differ from the ones in fused pancreases.

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Acknowledgement

The authors wish to thank the Serbian Ministry of Science for grant support.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Clinic of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Institute for Digestive Diseases, Clinical Center of Serbia, Dr Koste Todorovica 6, 11000, Belgrade, Serbia

    Tamara Alempijevic & Nada Kovacevic

  2. Institute for Anatomy, School of Medicine, Dr Subotica 4/2, 11000, Belgrade, Serbia

    Bojan Stimec

Authors
  1. Tamara Alempijevic
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  2. Bojan Stimec
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  3. Nada Kovacevic
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Correspondence to Bojan Stimec.

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Alempijevic, T., Stimec, B. & Kovacevic, N. Anatomical features of the minor duodenal papilla in pancreas divisum. Surg Radiol Anat 28, 620–624 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00276-006-0155-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00276-006-0155-3

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