Anatomical pancreatic variants in intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm patients: a cross-sectional study

• Published in: BMC gastroenterology Vol. 22; no. 1; pp. 1 - 9
• Main Authors: Johansson, Katarina, Mustonen, Harri, Seppänen, Hanna, Lehtimäki, Tiina E.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London BioMed Central 21.08.2022; BioMed Central Ltd; BMC
• Subjects: Ansa pancreatica; Care and treatment; Cross-sectional studies; Cysts; Diabetes; Gastroenterology; Genetic aspects; Hepatology; Internal Medicine; Intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm (IPMN); Magnetic resonance imaging; Meandering main pancreatic duct (MMPD); Medical examination; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Methods; MRI; Nodules; Pancreas; Pancreatic diseases; Pancreatic duct; Pancreatitis; Patients; Risk factors; Scanners; Small intestine; Three dimensional imaging; Worrisome features; Germany; Santorini; Meandering main pancreatic duct (MMPD); Ansa pancreatica; Worrisome features; MRI; Intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm (IPMN)
• ISSN: 1471-230X; 1471-230X
• DOI: 10.1186/s12876-022-02465-w

Background No previous studies have examined the possible relationship between intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm (IPMN) and the developmental ductal variations of the pancreas, such as an ansa pancreatica and a meandering main pancreatic duct (MMPD). Methods This retrospective cross-sectional study enrolled 214 patients, 108 with IPMN disease and 106 subjects from a community at the tertiary care unit. The main pancreatic duct (MPD) was evaluated in the head of the pancreas by its course, which were non-MMPD: descending, vertical, and sigmoid, or MMPD including loop types, reverse-Z subtypes, and an N-shape, which was identified for the first time in this study. IPMN patients were also evaluated for worrisome features (WF) or high-risk stigmata (HRS), and the extent of IPMN cysts. Results Among IPMN patients, 18.4% had MMPD, which we observed in only 3.0% of the control group ( P  < 0.001). Patients with MMPD were more likely to belong to the IPMN group compared with non-MMPD patients [odds ratio (OR) 6.4, 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.2–24.9]. Compared with a descending shape MPD, IPMN patients with an N-shaped MPD were more likely to have a cystic mural nodule (OR 5.9, 95% CI 1.02–36.0). The presence of ansa pancreatica associated with more extent IPMN disease (OR 12.8, 95% CI 2.6–127.7). Conclusions IPMN patients exhibited an MMPD more often than control patients. Ansa pancreatica associated with multiple cysts. Furthermore, an N-shape in IPMN patients associated with cystic mural nodules, suggesting that this shape serves as a risk factor for more severe IPMN.