Have you ever had a CT scan of your abdomen for any other reason and the doctor told you that there was a small abnormality in your pancreas called a Pancreas Divisum? Or maybe you have been experiencing frequent stomach pains and nausea and have come to know about it. What exactly is Pancreas Divisum? Is this something to be worried about? Let's talk about it in detail today.
What is (Pancreas Divisum)? Simply put...
Simply put, Pancreas Divisum is a small, usually harmless, congenital abnormality in your pancreas. Doctors also call it a congenital disorder, meaning it's something we're born with.
Our pancreas produces important digestive juices (pancreatic juices). These juices travel from the pancreas through a small tube (pancreatic duct) to the beginning of our small intestine. In a person with Pancreas Divisum, the main duct is not fully formed. Therefore, pancreatic juice often flows out of a smaller opening (minor papilla) rather than a major opening (major papilla). This can make the juice flow less efficiently.
However, most people do not experience any symptoms due to this. However, for some people, due to problems with the flow of juices, symptoms such as ``Pancreatitis'' or inflammation of the pancreas may occur.
How common is this?
Did you know? This condition, called ``Pancreas Divisum'', is the most common birth defect affecting the pancreas. It is said that about 10% of the general population has this condition. That is about one in ten people. So this is not that uncommon.
Is Pancreas Divisum serious?
Most of the time, no. Most people with Pancreas Divisum don't have any problems. It usually doesn't interfere with the way your pancreas helps digest food.
However, a very small percentage, that is, a small number of people with `(Pancreas Divisum)`, may experience the symptoms of `(Pancreatitis)` or inflammation of the pancreas that we mentioned earlier. However, most of the time, those symptoms are not severe enough to require surgery.
What are the symptoms of Pancreas Divisum?
The good news is that more than 95% of people with Pancreas Divisum do not experience any symptoms . You can live your entire life without even knowing you have the condition.
However, in rare cases, symptoms may resemble those of pancreatitis. They include:
- Abdominal pain (this is the most common). Some people feel this in the upper abdomen, sometimes it can spread to the back.
- Nausea and vomiting.
- The nature of fever.
- Things like digestive problems, bloating, etc.
- The food is tasteless.
- Fatty poops.
- Heart palpitations.
- Breathing becomes rapid and short.
- Dizziness (may be due to low blood pressure).
The most important thing is that even though these symptoms are present, they cannot all be caused by `(Pancreas Divisum)`. Therefore, it is best to see a doctor and find out the exact cause.
Why does this (Pancreas Divisum) occur?
This happens because there is a slight change in the development of the pancreas while we are in the womb, that is, before we are born.
Normally, our pancreas develops from two parts called "buds." One is the ventral bud in front, and the other is the dorsal bud in back. Both of these buds have their own separate ducts. Around seven weeks into pregnancy, these two buds fuse together to form the pancreas as a single organ. The two ducts join together to form the main pancreatic duct.
Think of it like a big water pipe. This is where digestive juices produced in the pancreas travel to the first part of our small intestine (the `duodenum`) to help digest food.
But, in the case of `(Pancreas Divisum)`, what happens is that those two buds, their two ducts, don't come together normally to form that main `(pancreatic duct).` Instead, you may have two separate, smaller ducts that drain the juices out of your pancreas. Then, the main juices don't flow out of that big opening (`major papilla`), but out of another small opening (`minor papilla`) that connects to the small intestine.
There can be many variations in how these juice ducts ultimately form and release juice from the pancreas.
Complications that may occur due to Pancreas Divisum
The biggest complication that can occur in this is inflammation of the pancreas, which is called `(Pancreatitis)`. But the word "can" is very important here. It is true that people with `(Pancreas Divisum)` sometimes experience symptoms of `(Pancreatitis).` But scientists are still researching the connection between the two.
One theory is that if the juice cannot flow properly through the small opening (`minor papilla`), the juice can accumulate and become blocked. This blockage can cause inflammation. Another is that sometimes both of these conditions can occur together. Because, while some people with `(Pancreas Divisum)` develop `(Pancreatitis)`, the majority do not. Another theory is that `(Pancreas Divisum)` may increase the risk of developing `(Pancreatitis)`, but that is not always the case, only in some cases.
So further research is needed to know exactly about this.
How do you recognize this?
Most of the time, doctors discover the presence of Pancreas Divisum by chance when performing a CT scan, or Computed Tomography scan, of the abdomen for some other unrelated problem.
But if you have symptoms, your doctor may order tests like these:
- Magnetic Resonance Cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) : This test allows the doctor to see your pancreatic duct system on a screen. You may be given an injection of a hormone called Secretin. This Secretin can help to show any abnormalities in the pancreas, such as a pancreatic divisum. Sometimes this test is done without the Secretin injection.
- Endoscopic ultrasound : This involves using a scope, a tube with a small camera, to view ultrasound images of your organs on a screen. This can help determine if your pancreas is inflamed.
- Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) : This test uses a scope and X-rays to take pictures of your pancreatic ducts. The doctor inserts the scope down your throat and into your pancreas. The scope releases a harmless dye, which makes the ducts visible on the screen. It is similar to MRCP, but it is a little more invasive. Therefore, doctors often use this procedure only if they are planning to treat the disease through endoscopy. A scope is also used during endoscopy.
What are the treatments for (Pancreas Divisum)?
In fact, most people with Pancreas Divisum do not need any treatment.
But if you have mild or moderate symptoms of pancreatitis, your doctor may recommend ways to manage them. For example:
- Switching to a low-fat diet: When you eat less fat, the pancreas has to work less to digest fat.
- Taking medications: You may need to take something like an analgesic.
- Taking supplements: You may need to take pancreatic enzyme supplements to help with digestion.
If you have frequent, severe symptoms (such as severe abdominal pain), you may need to have a small procedure to widen (widen) the pancreatic duct.
Specific treatments
These are the treatments that widen the minor papilla:
- Endoscopy: The doctor can make a small incision and enlarge the opening during an ERCP. He may also insert a metal tube called a stent to keep it open.
- Surgery: Most people do not need surgery for Pancreas Divisum. However, if you are unable to have an endoscopy, or if an endoscopy has not been successful, surgery may be necessary. This involves making a small incision in your abdomen and accessing the pancreatic duct. Again, the procedure involves widening the duct that carries the pancreatic juice to the small intestine.
Are there any complications in the treatment?
Your doctor will carefully examine your health before recommending treatment. In general, complications are rare.
Possible complications may include:
- Recurrence of the condition `(Pancreatitis)`.
- That small opening (`minor papilla`) narrows again.
- Perforation or bleeding.
What is the prognosis for someone with Pancreas Divisum?
Your outlook is very good , especially if you have no symptoms. Pancreas Divisum is likely to have no impact on your life.
Many people with symptoms can manage their symptoms without medical treatment. If you need treatment, both endoscopy and surgery are considered safe and effective options. They are most effective if you have symptoms of acute or recurrent pancreatitis. They are not as effective for treating chronic pancreatitis.
What questions should I ask my doctor?
You can ask questions like these:
- How does having Pancreas Divisum affect my health?
- What are my chances of developing `(Pancreatitis)`?
- What symptoms should I look out for?
- Are my symptoms caused by Pancreas Divisum or another problem?
- Will I need treatment to control my symptoms?
If you find out through a test that you have `(Pancreas Divisum)`, don't panic. This is a common birth defect. If you don't have symptoms now, it's likely that you won't have any problems in the future.
Finally, things to remember (Take-Home Message)
Okay, so now you have a better idea of what we've been talking about, `(Pancreas Divisum)`. The important thing is that most of the time, this is nothing to worry about.
- Pancreas Divisum is a small, congenital structural defect in the pancreas.
- Most people do not experience any symptoms.
- Rarely, symptoms such as `(Pancreatitis)` may occur.
- Most of the time, this is discovered by chance, during a scan done for another reason.
- If there are no symptoms, treatment is usually not needed.
- If symptoms are present, they can be managed with lifestyle changes, medications, or sometimes treatments such as endoscopy.
If you find out that you have `(Pancreas Divisum)`, don't panic and talk to your doctor about it. He or she will give you all the information you need. Remember, not everyone's body is the same, so only your doctor can give you the best advice.
` Pancreas Divisum, Pancreatitis, Pancreatitis, Stomach pain, Digestion, Birth defects, MRCP, ERCP
💬 අදහස් (0)
තවමත් කිසිදු අදහසක් පළ කර නොමැත. ඔබේ අදහස පළමු වරට මෙහි එක් කරන්න.
ඔබේ අදහස එක් කරන්න