Master Annular Pancreas with Picmonic for Medicine

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Pancreas

Biliary Structures

Annular Pancreas

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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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

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

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