Korean J Gastrointest Endosc.  2010 Feb;40(2):139-143.

A Case of Successful Endoscopic Treatment for Acute Recurrent Pancreatitis Due to Pancreas Divisum with Santorinicele Masquerading as Drug Induced Pancreatitis

• Shim YS
• Lee TH
• Choi JH
• Kim SP
• Lee SH
• Chung IK
• Park SH
• Kim SJ

Abstract

There are various causes of acute pancreatitis, and accurately determining the etiology is pivotal for selecting appropriate management. Other hidden causes, such as congenital anomaly, should be considered in patients with recurrent abdominal pain or unexplained recurrent pancreatitis. A santorinicele is a focal cystic dilatation of the terminal dorsal pancreatic duct, and this is usually associated with pancreas divisum and it is a risk factor for acute pancreatitis due to the accompanying relative stenosis of the minor papilla. We present here the case of a patient who was treated for acute pancreatitis that was presumably was caused by either Rifampin or Brucellosis, and the patient recovered with conservative management. However, we eventually diagnosed pancreas divisum with santorinicele by performing MRCP and ERCP after the pancreatitis had relapsed. We report here on a case of successful endoscopic treatment for pancreas divisum with santorinicele as a cause of recurrent pancreatitis, and this was initially confused with drug or infection related pancreatitis.

Keyword

Santorinicele; Pancreas divisum; Acute pancreatitis

MeSH Terms

Abdominal Pain
Brucellosis
Cholangiopancreatography, Endoscopic Retrograde
Constriction, Pathologic
Dilatation
Humans
Pancreas
Pancreatic Ducts
Pancreatitis
Rifampin
Risk Factors
Rifampin