[Pancreas divisum and pancreatitis].

CLINICAL/METHODOLOGICAL ISSUE: Diagnostic and clinical relevance of pancreas divisum.

STANDARD RADIOLOGICAL METHODS

Ultrasonography (US), magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computed tomography (CT), endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP).

PERFORMANCE

Pancreas divisum is an anatomic variation of pancreatic duct system with an incidence in general population of about 10%. It can become symptomatic in approximately 5% of patients. MRI with MRCP is the method of choice to diagnose pancreas divisum.

ACHIEVEMENTS

MRCP is equal to ERCP in diagnosing pancreas divisum in routine clinical practice as it is noninvasive, offers the possibility to evaluate the adjacent tissues and has almost no contraindications.

PRACTICAL RECOMMENDATIONS

It is important to be familiar with the anatomy of the pancreatic duct system in order to plan interventional procedures for symptomatic patients in due time.