Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography identification of pancreaticobiliary maljunction in the colombian pediatric population

Abstract

Overview: Pancreaticobiliary maljunction (PBM) is a congenital malformation characterized by a long common pancreaticobiliary channel which causes sphincter of Oddi malfunction. In children, it is typically diagnosed using magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP). It is associated with congenital biliary dilatation, pancreatitis, and gallbladder and bile duct tumors at adulthood. Studies in the western population are rare. Given its morbidity rate, it should be searched for in the western pediatric population. The objective of this study was to look for and identify the presence of pancreaticobiliary maljunction through MRCP in pediatric patients with biliary or pancreatic disease, as well as to find out other associated factors.

Methods: MRCP was used to measure common channel length, pancreatic duct length, and bile duct diameter in 41 pediatric patients with biliary or pancreatic disease.

Results: The common channel could only be measured in 17.6% of cases, 50% of which were >8 mm long. All patients were female and had congenital biliary dilatation. No age-related differences were found in terms of bile duct length.

Conclusions: PBM is present in the western pediatric population, but prevalence and morbidity are unknown. Larger studies are required to identify morbidity and mortality, as well as prevalence among patients.

Keywords: Common bile duct; Common channel; Congenital biliary dilatation; Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography; Pancreatic duct; Pancreaticobiliary maljunction.