Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
Editorial
. 2012 Feb;107(2):318-20.
doi: 10.1038/ajg.2011.430.

Pancreas divisum does not cause pancreatitis, but associates with CFTR mutations

Matthew J DiMagno, Eugene P Dimagno
Editorial

Pancreas divisum does not cause pancreatitis, but associates with CFTR mutations

Matthew J DiMagno et al. Am J Gastroenterol. 2012 Feb.

Abstract

Bertin et al. partially dispel arguments that pancreas divisum (PD) causes pancreatitis, but fascinatingly indicate that PD associates with CFTR gene mutations predisposing to pancreatitis. This association, however, does not definitely confer a pathophysiological role for PD in pancreatitis but may denote that PD co-mingles with CFTR mutations without influencing pancreatitis or CFTR mutations influence pancreatic duct embryogenesis. We advise "idiopathic pancreatitis" patients with PD to undergo genetic testing. In lieu of CFTR mutations undertake no endoscopic/surgical procedure; if CFTR mutations are found, then refer patients for genetic counseling and withhold endoscopic/surgical therapy unless randomized studies show benefit.

PubMed Disclaimer

Comment on

References

    1. Bertin C, Pelletier AL, Vullierme MP, et al. Pancreas divisum is not a cause of pancreatitis by itself but acts as a partner of genetic mutations. Am J Gastroenterol. 2011 this issue. - PubMed
    1. Cohn JA, Friedman KJ, Noone PG, et al. Relation between mutations of the cystic fibrosis gene and idiopathic pancreatitis. N Engl J Med. 1998;339:653–8. - PubMed
    1. DiMagno MJ, DiMagno EP. Idiopathic pancreatitis in patients with pancreas divisum and normal ducts: The case against endoscopic therapy. Pancreas. 2007;34:26–45. In: Fogel EL, TG Toth, Lehman GA et al. Does endoscopic therapy favorably affect the outcome of patients who have recurrent acute pancreatitis and pancreas divisum? Pancreas 2007;34:21-45.
    1. Choudari CP, Imperiale TF, Sherman S, et al. Risk of pancreatitis with mutation of the cystic fibrosis gene. Am J Gastroenterol. 2004;99:1358–63. - PubMed
    1. Noone PG, Zhou Z, Silverman LM, et al. Cystic fibrosis gene mutations and pancreatitis risk: relation to epithelial ion transport and trypsin inhibitor gene mutations. Gastroenterology. 2001;121:1310–9. - PubMed

Substances