2182 Endoscopic Challenges in a Patient With Ansa Pancreatica and Recurrent Pancreatitis

• Published in: The American journal of gastroenterology Vol. 114; no. 1; pp. S1220 - S1222
• Main Authors: Aaron, Jacob, Ahmad, Dina, Smith, Zachary L.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 01.10.2019
• ISSN: 0002-9270; 1572-0241
• DOI: 10.14309/01.ajg.0000598260.44449.58

INTRODUCTION: Ansa pancreatica is a rare anatomical variation of the pancreatic duct where there is communication between the ventral pancreatic duct, which forms an ansa loop, and the accessory pancreatic duct. Its prevalence is estimated to be 1% in general population, and its presence can predispose to acute pancreatitis. We present an interesting and rare case of chronic pancreatitis with a pancreatic duct stricture in the setting of ansa pancreatica. CASE DESCRIPTION/METHODS: A 54-year-old female with a heterozygous CFTR mutation and a long-standing history of recurrent acute and now chronic pancreatitis. Two weeks after an episode of acute pancreatitis, a magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) was performed showing a new stricture in the pancreatic duct near the genu, with pre-stenotic ductal dilation. Two prior endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatographies had been performed to attempt pancreatic duct endotherapy, but these were unsuccessful in achieving deep wire cannulation beyond the ansa loop. (image 1A-1B). The pancreatic duct in the genu of the pancreas was noted to have moderate stenosis on MRCP (image 1C). After a discussion with the patient, the decision was made to re-attempt endoscopic therapy. The ventral pancreatic duct was initially cannulated. The 0.025 inch angled guidewire was again unable to navigate the ansa loop and into the distal pancreas. Thereafter, we attempted dorsal pancreatic duct cannulation via the monir papilla. The guidewire was advanced successfully beyond the stricture and into the opacified body and tail (image 1D). The minor papilla and the stricture in the genu were dilated with a 7 Fr catheter dilator. After a minor papillotomy a 7 Fr by 8 cm plastic stent was placed into the dorsal pancreatic duct (image 1E, 2). The stent was removed 6 weeks later, and the duct remained patent. The patient has had no recurrence of acute pancreatitis to date. DISCUSSION: While the prevalence of ansa pancreatica is low, its presence can have great impact on the necessary approach for endoscopic therapy in chronic pancreatitis. In our case, the patient failed several ERCP attempts via ventral duct cannulation, and endoscopic therapy was successful only when cannulation of dorsal pancreatic duct was performed. In conclusion, in patients with chronic pancreatitis, recognition of ansa pancreatica, when present, is important to guide the endoscopic approach to treatment as minor papilla cannulation, a necessary skill for the interventional endoscopist, may be required.