NEW LOWER PRICES - ACT FAST
Medicine (MD/DO)
/
Courses
/
Anatomy & Embryology
/
Hepatopancreaticobiliary
/
Annular Pancreas

Master Annular Pancreas with Picmonic for Medicine

With Picmonic, facts become pictures. We've taken what the science shows - image mnemonics work - but we've boosted the effectiveness by building and associating memorable characters, interesting audio stories, and built-in quizzing.

DOWNLOAD PDF
Annular Pancreas

Annular Pancreas

Annular-ring Pancreas
MarcDsharK
Annular pancreas is a congenital anomaly of the pancreas that results from fusion of the ventral and dorsal pancreatic buds during embryological development. This may cause circumferential duodenal compression. Annular pancreas is associated with down syndrome and can present with polyhydramnios in utero, poor feeding postnatally, and vomiting. On imaging, a characteristic double bubble sign may be apparent. Surgery is the only definitive treatment for this disease.
9 KEY FACTS
CHARACTERISTICS
Congenital Anomaly
Animal-anomalies with Pregnant-woman

This condition is a congenital anomaly. This can occur due to an abnormality in the rotation of the embryonic buds of the pancreas, specifically the ventral and dorsal buds. They can fuse and form a ring around the second part of the duodenum and thus can lead to its compression or atresia.

Fusion of Ventral and Dorsal Pancreatic Buds
Fusing of Vent and Dorsal-fin Pancreas Buds

During the formation of the pancreas, if there is a failure of rotation, a fusion between the ventral and dorsal buds can cause the pancreas to form a ring around the duodenum.

Circumferential Duodenal Compression
Dodo being Circumferentially Compressed

The malformation and fusion of the pancreatic buds can compress the second part of the duodenum. This can lead to complications such as duodenal stenosis and atresia.

ASSOCIATIONS
Down Syndrome
Child with Down Syndrome

This condition has been found to be correlated with down syndrome. While the exact mechanism of the association is not well understood, patients with down syndrome are more likely to develop this anomaly.

CLINICAL FEATURES
Polyhydramnios
Polly-fluid-in-womb

Polyhydramnios is defined as an amniotic fluid level index of greater than 25cm, or a single deepest pocket of fluid greater than 8cm. Conditions that can contribute to polyhydramnios include esophageal atresia, maternal diabetes, or maternal infections. With the duodenum being compressed, it may be difficult for the fetus to swallow amniotic fluid, thus accumulating in the stomach, esophagus, and outside the fetus.

Poor Feeding
Baby Throwing Away Bottle

During the process of feeding in the early postnatal state, the child might be unable to keep down food. This may be due to duodenal atresia secondary to annular pancreas. The food cannot pass through the infant's GI tract and thus will be regurgitated.

Vomiting
Vomit

Vomiting may be seen in patients with an annular pancreas. The pancreas can compress the duodenum, potentially preventing food boluses from passing into the lower gastrointestinal tract and resulting in vomiting.

DIAGNOSIS
Double Bubble Sign
Double Bubbles

Imaging techniques can be used to aid in the diagnosis of annular pancreas. Annular pancreas presents with compression of the second part of the duodenum. On abdominal radiograph, one air bubble in the stomach and one in the duodenum can be visualized. This is known as the double bubble sign.

MANAGEMENT
Surgery
Surgeon

Surgery is the only definitive management in patients with annular pancreas.

DOWNLOAD PDF

Recommended Picmonics

picmonic thumbnail
Pancreas
picmonic thumbnail
Biliary Structures

Take the Annular Pancreas Quiz

Picmonic's rapid review multiple-choice quiz allows you to assess your knowledge.

It's worth every penny

Our Story Mnemonics Increase Mastery and Retention

Memorize facts with phonetic mnemonics

Unforgettable characters with concise but impactful videos (2-4 min each)

Memorize facts with phonetic mnemonics

Ace Your Medicine (MD/DO) Classes & Exams with Picmonic:

Over 1,970,000 students use Picmonic’s picture mnemonics to improve knowledge, retention, and exam performance.

Choose the #1 Medicine (MD/DO) student study app.

Picmonic for Medicine (MD/DO) covers information that is relevant to your entire Medicine (MD/DO) education. Whether you’re studying for your classes or getting ready to conquer the USMLE Step 1, USMLE Step 2 CK, COMLEX Level 1, or COMLEX Level 2, we’re here to help.

Works better than traditional Medicine (MD/DO) flashcards.

Research shows that students who use Picmonic see a 331% improvement in memory retention and a 50% improvement in test scores.