Ansa pancreatica: an anatomic variation and a rare cause of acute pancreatitis

Abstract

Introduction: The ansa pancreatica is a rare anatomic variation of the pancreatic ducts. It is a communication between the main pancreatic duct (Wirsung) and the accessory pancreatic duct (Santorini). Recently, the ansa pancreatica has been considered as a predisposing factor in patients with idiopathic acute pancreatitis.

Case report: \We report a case of non-alcoholic and non-biliary acute pancreatitis, in a 53-year-old patient. An ansa pancreatica was discovered in a post-operative cholangiography.

Conclusion: A pancreatic duct variation, as the ansa pancreatica, can be diagnosed during a severe acute pancreatitis. It is still not clear whether the presence of these two pathologies is a coincidence or if the ansa pancreatica is the cause of the acute pancreatitis. New studies are necessary to clarify these points.