Divided pancreas (pancreas divisum) and other possible causes of obstructive chronic pancreatitis: when and how to treat them?
PDF (Українська)

Keywords

pancreas divisum, ідіопатичний панкреатит, обструктивний панкреатит, причини, мутації, лікування.

How to Cite

Tsys, O. V. (2026). Divided pancreas (pancreas divisum) and other possible causes of obstructive chronic pancreatitis: when and how to treat them?. Herald of Pancreatic Club, 70(1), 4-13. https://doi.org/10.33149/vkp.2026.01.01

Abstract views: 99
PDF Downloads: 100

Abstract

The article presents current literature data confirming that idiopathic pancreatitis remains a diagnosis of exclusion and can only be established after careful exclusion of all known aetiological factors of pancreatitis development: anatomical, metabolic, infectious, and genetic. With the development of imaging and molecular diagnostic methods, the proportion of truly idiopathic pancreatitis is steadily decreasing.

Particular attention is paid to the divided pancreas (pancreas divisum — PD) — a variant of the duct system structure that occurs in 5–10% of the population. Current research does not confirm that PD is an independent cause of acute or chronic pancreatitis. In most carriers of this anatomical variant, the disease does not develop, and the frequency of PD is the same in individuals with and without pancreatitis.

Particular emphasis is placed on the role of genetic factors in the pathogenesis of chronic pancreatitis. The significance of mutations in the CFTR, SPINK1, and PRSS1 genes, which increase susceptibility to inflammatory changes in the pancreas, is considered. Their detection in patients with PD and pancreatitis indicates that PD is not a causal factor, but rather a coincidental anatomical association.

It is noted that endoscopic or surgical “treatment” of PD has no proven efficacy and should be used exclusively in clinical trials. Optimal management of such patients requires a comprehensive, personalized approach that takes into account anatomical, functional and genetic characteristics.

https://doi.org/10.33149/vkp.2026.01.01
PDF (Українська)

References

1. Термін «ідіопатичний панкреатит» є діагнозом виключення і має використовуватися тільки після того, як аргументовано відкинуто всі відомі етіологічні фактори, включаючи генетичні, анатомічні та метаболічні. З розвитком інструментальної та молекулярної діагностики частка істинного ІП прогресивно зменшується.
2. PD являє собою анатомічний варіант будови протокової системи ПЗ, що відмічають у 5–10% популяції, і в більшості випадків не має клінічного значення. Сучасні дані не підтверджують прямий причинно-наслідковий зв’язок між PD та розвитком панкреатиту.
3. Генетичні фактори, зокрема мутації генів CFTR, SPINK1 та PRSS1, відіграють ключову роль у патогенезі ХП, включаючи випадки, що поєднуються з PD. Наявність PD у таких пацієнтів, ймовірно, відображає випадкове поєднання, а не патогенетичну залежність.
4. Ендоскопічне та хірургічне лікування при PD не є стандартом ведення пацієнтів з панкреатитом і має розглядатися винятково в рамках клінічних досліджень. Більшість інтервенційних підходів не демонструють достовірного терапевтичного ефекту та пов’язані з ризиком виникнення ускладнень.
5. Серед інших причин обструктивного ХП слід враховувати широкий спектр вроджених та набутих станів: холедохоцеле, кісти холедоха, дуплікаційні кісти, дивертикули фатерового сосочка, пухлинні та запальні ураження, а також ятрогенні зміни. Тактику лікування слід визначати індивідуально, з урахуванням анатомічних та функціональних особливостей.
6. Оптимальне ведення пацієнтів із ХП потребує комплексного персоналізованого підходу, що включає детальну візуалізаційну оцінку, функціональне тестування та обов’язкове генетичне обстеження у разі наявності підозри на спадкову схильність.
Таким чином, PD слід розглядати не як самостійну причину ХП, а як анатомічний варіант, який у поєднанні з певними генетичними та середовищними факторами може спричиняти розвиток захворювання. Перспективним напрямком залишається подальше вивчення взаємодії анатомічних та молекулярних механізмів у патогенезі ХП.



Список використаної літератури
1. Ahmed Ali U., Issa Y., Hagenaars J. C. et al. Risk of recurrent pancreatitis and progression to chronic pancreatitis after a first episode of acute pancreatitis. Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2016; 14(5): 738–746. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cgh.2015.12.040.
2. Ammann R. W., Akovbiantz A., Largiader F. et al. Course and outcome of chronic pancreatitis. Gastroenterology. 1984; 86(5 Pt 1): 820–828.
3. Asciutti S., Kanninen T. T., Clerici G. et al. Acute pancreatitis with a mucinous cystoadenoma of the pancreas in pregnancy. Anticancer Res. 2010; 30(3): 1025–1028.
4. Bertin C., Pelletier A. L., Vullierme M. P. et al. Pancreas divisum is not a cause of pancreatitis by itself but acts as a partner of genetic mutations. Am J Gastroenterol. 2012; 107(2): 311–317. https://doi.org/10.1038/ajg.2011.424.
5. Blouhos K., Boulas K. A., Tsalis K. et al. Management of afferent loop obstruction: reoperation or endoscopic and percutaneous interventions? World J Gastrointest Surg. 2015; 7(9): 190–195. https://doi.org/10.4240/wjgs.v7.i9.190.
6. Bulow R., Simon P., Thiel R. et al. Anatomic variants of the pancreatic duct and their clinical relevance: an MR-guided study in the general population. Eur Radiol. 2014; 24(12): 3142–3149. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00330-014-3359-7.
7. Cahen D. L., Gouma D. J., Laramee P. et al. Long-term outcomes of endoscopic vs surgical drainage of the pancreatic duct in patients with chronic pancreatitis. Gastroenterology. 2011; 141(5): 1690–1695. https://doi.org/10.1053/j.gastro.2011.07.049.
8. Cahen D. L., Gouma D. J., Nio Y. et al. Endoscopic versus surgical drainage of the pancreatic duct in chronic pancreatitis. N Engl J Med. 2007; 356(7): 676–684.
9. Capurso G., Cocomello L., Benedetto U. et al. Meta-analysis: the placebo rate of abdominal pain remission in clinical trials of chronic pancreatitis. Pancreas. 2012; 41(7): 1125–1131. https://doi.org/10.1097/MPA.0b013e318249ce93.
10. Choudari C. P., Imperiale T. F., Sherman S. et al. Risk of pancreatitis with mutation of the cystic fibrosis gene. Am J Gastroenterol. 2004; 99(7): 1358–1363. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1572-0241.2004.30655.x.
11. Cohen S., Bacon B. R., Berlin J. A. et al. National Institutes of Health State-of-the-Science Conference Statement: ERCP for diagnosis and therapy, January 14–16, 2002. Gastrointest Endosc. 2002; 56(6): 803–809. https://doi.org/10.1067/mge.2002.129875.
12. Comfort M. W., Gambill E. E., Baggenstoss A. H. et al. Chronic relapsing pancreatitis: a study of 29 cases without associated disease of the biliary or gastro-intestinal tract (continued). Gastroenterology. 1946; 6: 376–408.
13. Comfort M. W., Gambill E. E., Baggenstoss A. M. et al. Chronic relapsing pancreatitis: a study of 29 cases without associated disease of the biliary or gastro-intestinal tract. Gastroenterology. 1946; 6(4): 239–285.
14. Comfort M. W., Steinberg A. G. Pedigree of a family with hereditary chronic relapsing pancreatitis. Gastroenterology. 1952; 21(1): 54–63.
15. Cotton P. B. Congenital anomaly of pancreas divisum as cause of obstructive pain and pancreatitis. Gut. 1980; 21(2): 105–114. https://doi.org/10.1136/gut.21.2.105.
16. Cotton P. B. Pancreas divisum. Pancreas. 1988; 3(3): 245–247.
17. Delhaye M., Matos C., Arvanitakis M. et al. Pancreatic ductal system obstruction and acute recurrent pancreatitis. World J Gastroenterol. 2008; 14(7): 1027–1033. https://doi.org/10.3748/wjg.14.1027.
18. DiMagno E. P., DiMagno M. J. Chronic pancreatitis: landmark papers, management decisions, and future. Pancreas. 2016; 45(5): 641–650. https://doi.org/10.1097/MPA.0000000000000599.
19. DiMagno M. J., DiMagno E. P. Idiopathic pancreatitis in patients with pancreas divisum and normal ducts: the case against endoscopic therapy. In: Fogel E. L., Toth T. G., Lehman G. A. et al. Does endoscopic therapy favorably affect the outcome of patients who have recurrent acute pancreatitis and pancreas divisum? Pancreas. 2007; 34(1): 21–45. https://doi.org/10.1097/mpa.0b013e31802ce068.
20. DiMagno M. J., DiMagno E. P. New advances in acute pancreatitis. Curr Opin Gastroenterol. 2007; 23(5): 494–501. https://doi.org/10.1097/MOG.0b013e3282ba566d.
21. DiMagno M. J., DiMagno E. P. Pancreas divisum does not cause pancreatitis, but associates with CFTR mutations. Am J Gastroenterol. 2012; 107(2): 318–320. https://doi.org/10.1038/ajg.2011.430.
22. DiMagno M. J., Wamsteker E. J. Pancreas divisum. Curr Gastroenterol Rep. 2011; 13(2): 150–156.
23. DiMagno M. J. Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency and pancreatitis associated with celiac disease. In: Pancreapedia: Exocrine Pancreas Knowledge Base. Ann Arbor, MI: Regents of the University of Michigan; 2018. Available at: https://www.pancreapedia.org/
24. Draganov P., Forsmark C. E. “Idiopathic” pancreatitis. Gastroenterology. 2005; 128(3): 756–763.
25. Garg P. K., Khajuria R., Kabra M. et al. Association of SPINK1 gene mutation and CFTR gene polymorphisms in patients with pancreas divisum presenting with idiopathic pancreatitis. J Clin Gastroenterol. 2009; 43(9): 848–852. https://doi.org/10.1097/MCG.0b013e3181a4e772.
26. Garg P. K., Tandon R. K., Madan K. et al. Is biliary microlithiasis a significant cause of idiopathic recurrent acute pancreatitis? A long-term follow-up study. Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2007; 5(1): 75–79. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cgh.2006.06.023.
27. Glaser J., Stienecker K. Ultrasound secretin test in patients with pancreas divisum: an aid in the diagnosis of papillary or dorsal duct stenosis? Z Gastroenterol. 1999; 37(7): 585–588.
28. Howard T. J., Moore S. A., Saxena R. et al. Pancreatic duct strictures are a common cause of recurrent pancreatitis after successful management of pancreatic necrosis. Surgery. 2004; 136(4): 909–918. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.surg.2004.06.028.
29. Hyrtl J. Ein Pancreas accessorium und Pancreas divisum. Math-Nat Classe d KAkad Wissenschaften (Wien). 1865; 52: 275.
30. Jacob L., Geenen J. E., Catalano M. F. et al. Prevention of pancreatitis in patients with idiopathic recurrent pancreatitis: a prospective nonblinded randomized study using endoscopic stents. Endoscopy. 2001; 33(7): 559–562. https://doi.org/10.1055/s-2001-15314.
31. Jang J. W., Kim M. H., Oh D. et al. Factors and outcomes associated with pancreatic duct disruption in patients with acute necrotizing pancreatitis. Pancreatology. 2016; 16(6): 958–965. https://doi.org/ 10.1016/j.pan.2016.09.009.
32. Kanth R., Samji N. S., Inaganti A. et al. Endotherapy in symptomatic pancreas divisum: a systematic review. Pancreatology. 2014; 14(4): 244–250. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pan.2014.05.796.
33. Klein S. D., Affronti J. P. Pancreas divisum, an evidence-based review: part I, pathophysiology. Gastrointest Endosc. 2004; 60(3): 419–425. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0016-5107(04)01815-2.
34. Krige J. E. J., Kotze U. K., Navsaria P. H. et al. Endoscopic and operative treatment of delayed complications after pancreatic trauma: an analysis of 27 civilians treated in an academic Level 1 Trauma Centre. Pancreatology. 2015; 15(5): 563–569. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pan.2015.06.008.
35. Lankisch P. G., Breuer N., Bruns A. et al. Natural history of acute pancreatitis: a long-term population-based study. Am J Gastroenterol. 2009; 104(11): 2797–2805; quiz 2806. https://doi.org/10.1038/ajg.2009.405.
36. Lans J. I., Geenen J. E., Johanson J. F. et al. Endoscopic therapy in patients with pancreas divisum and acute pancreatitis: a prospective, randomized, controlled clinical trial. Gastrointest Endosc. 1992; 38(4): 430–434. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0016-5107(92)70471-4.
37. Law R., Topazian M. Diagnosis and treatment of choledochoceles. Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2014; 12(2): 196–203. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cgh.2013.04.037.
38. Layer P., Yamamoto H., Kalthoff L. et al. The different courses of early- and late-onset idiopathic and alcoholic chronic pancreatitis. Gastroenterology. 1994; 107(5): 1481–1487. https://doi.org/ 0.1016/0016-5085(94)90553-3.
39. Lee S. P., Nicholls J. F., Park H. Z. Biliary sludge as a cause of acute pancreatitis. N Engl J Med. 1992; 326(9): 589–593. https://doi.org/10.1056/NEJM199202273260902.
40. Lehman G. A., Sherman S. Diagnosis and therapy of pancreas divisum. Gastrointest Endosc Clin North Am. 1998; 8(1): 55–77.
41. Leivonen M. K., Halttunen J. A., Kivilaakso E. O. Duodenal diverticulum at endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography: analysis of 123 patients. Hepatogastroenterology. 1996; 43(10): 961–966.
42. Levy P., Menzelxhiu A., Paillot B. et al. Abdominal radiotherapy is a cause for chronic pancreatitis. Gastroenterology. 1993; 105(3): 905–909. https://doi.org/10.1016/0016-5085(93)90911-u.
43. Liao Z., Gao R., Wang W. et al. A systematic review on endoscopic detection rate, endotherapy, and surgery for pancreas divisum. Endoscopy. 2009; 41(5): 439–444. https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0029-1214505.
44. Lin B. C., Liu N. J., Fang J. F. et al. Long-term results of endoscopic stent in the management of blunt major pancreatic duct injury. Surg Endosc. 2006; 20(10): 1551–1555. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00464-005-0807-0.
45. Lowes J. R., Lees W. R., Cotton P. B. Pancreatic duct dilatation after secretin stimulation in patients with pancreas divisum. Pancreas. 1989; 4(3): 371–374. https://doi.org/ 10.1097/00006676-198906000-00015.
46. Ma M. X., Awadie H., Bourke M. J. Treatment of large duodenal duplication cyst using endoscopic submucosal dissection knife. VideoGIE. 2017; 2(9): 223–224. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vgie.2017.05.004.
47. Madura J. A., Fiore A. C., O’Connor K. W. et al. Pancreas divisum. Detection and management. Am Surg. 1985; 51(6): 353–357.
48. Madura J. A., Madura J. A. II, Sherman S. et al. Surgical sphincteroplasty in 446 patients. Arch Surg. 2005; 140(5): 504–511; discussion 511–513.
49. Matos C., Metens T., Deviere J. et al. Pancreas divisum: evaluation with secretin-enhanced magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography. Gastrointest Endosc. 2001; 53(7): 728–733. https://doi.org/10.1067/mge.2001.114784.
50. Morales-Oyarvide V., Mino-Kenudson M., Ferrone C. R. et al. Acute pancreatitis in intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms: a common predictor of malignant intestinal subtype. Surgery. 2015; 158(5): 1219–1225. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.surg.2015.04.029.
51. Mullhaupt B., Truninger K., Ammann R. Impact of etiology on the painful early stage of chronic pancreatitis: a long-term prospective study. Z Gastroenterol. 2005; 43(12): 1293–1301. https://doi.org/10.1055/s-2005-858733.
52. Munigala S., Kanwal F., Xian H. et al. Increased risk of pancreatic adenocarcinoma after acute pancreatitis. Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2014; 12(7): 1143–1150. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cgh.2013.12.033.
53. Orihara M., Kuroki M., Hiramoto K. et al. A case of serous cystic tumor, which recurred with severe acute pancreatitis. Nihon Shokakibyo Gakkai Zasshi. 2010; 107(6): 923–929.
54. Petersein J., Reisinger W., Hamm B. Diagnostic value of secretin injections in dynamic MR pancreatography. Rofo. 2002; 174(4): 437–443. https://doi.org/10.1055/s-2002-25119.
55. Raimondo M., Imoto M., DiMagno E. P. Rapid endoscopic secretin stimulation test and discrimination of chronic pancreatitis and pancreatic cancer from disease controls. Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2003; 1(5): 397–403. https://doi.org/10.1053/s1542-3565(03)00182-4.
56. Raty S., Pulkkinen J., Nordback I. et al. Can laparoscopic cholecystectomy prevent recurrent idiopathic acute pancreatitis? A prospective randomized multicenter trial. Ann Surg. 2015; 262(5): 736–741. https://doi.org/10.1097/SLA.0000000000001469.
57. Reddy N. G., Nangia S., DiMagno M. J. The Chronic Pancreatitis International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification Code 577.1 is inaccurate compared with criterion-standard clinical diagnostic scoring systems. Pancreas. 2016; 45(9): 1276–1281. https://doi.org/10.1097/MPA.0000000000000631.
58. Richter J. M., Schapiro R. H., Mulley A. G. et al. Association of pancreas divisum and pancreatitis, and its treatment by sphincteroplasty of the accessory ampulla. Gastroenterology. 1981; 81(6): 1104–1110.
59. Rivas J. M., Erim T., Berho M. E. et al. Crohn’s disease of the common bile duct and ampulla causing obstructive jaundice and acute pancreatitis. Am J Gastroenterol. 2009; 104(4): 1053–1055. https://doi.org/10.1038/ajg.2008.136.
60. Rizwan M. M., Singh H., Chandar V. et al. Duodenal diverticulum and associated pancreatitis: case report with brief review of literature. World J Gastrointest Endosc. 2011; 3(3): 62–63. https://doi.org/10.4253/wjge.v3.i3.62.
61. Ros E., Navarro S., Bru C. et al. Occult microlithiasis in “idiopathic” acute pancreatitis: prevention of relapses by cholecystectomy or ursodeoxycholic acid therapy. Gastroenterology. 1991; 101(6): 1701–1709. https://doi.org/10.1016/0016-5085(91)90410-m.
62. Russell R. C., Wong N. W., Cotton P. B. Accessory sphincterotomy (endoscopic and surgical) in patients with pancreas divisum. Br J Surg. 1984; 71(12): 954–957.
63. Sahel J., Cros R. C., Bourry J. Clinico-pathological conditions associated with pancreas divisum. Digestion. 1982; 23(1): 1–8. https://doi.org/10.1159/000198689.
64. Salemis N. S., Liatsos C., Kolios M. et al. Recurrent acute pancreatitis secondary to a duodenal duplication cyst in an adult. A case report and literature review. Can J Gastroenterol. 2009; 23(11): 749–752. https://doi.org/10.1155/2009/979431.
65. Sankaran S. J., Xiao A. Y., Wu L. M. et al. Frequency of progression from acute to chronic pancreatitis and risk factors: a meta-analysis. Gastroenterology. 2015; 149(6): 1490–1500. https://doi.org/10.1053/j.gastro.2015.07.066.
66. Satterfield S. T., McCarthy J. H., Geenen J. E. Clinical experience in 82 patients with pancreas divisum: preliminary results of manometry and endoscopic therapy. Pancreas. 1988; 3(3): 248–253. https://doi.org/10.1097/00006676-198805000-00002.
67. Shi-Yi L., Ai-Wu M., Yi-Ping J. et al. Placement of duodenal stents across the duodenal papilla may predispose to acute pancreatitis: a retrospective analysis. Diagn Interv Radiol. 2012; 18(4): 360–364. https://doi.org/10.4261/1305-3825.DIR.5045-11.1.
68. Stern C. D. A historical perspective on the discovery of the accessory duct of the pancreas, the ampulla “of Vater” and pancreas divisum. Gut. 1986; 27(2): 203–212. https://doi.org/10.1136/gut.27.2.203.
69. Tadic M. Lymphangioma as a rare cause of acute recurrent pancreatitis. Endoscopy. 2014; 46: E598–E599.
70. Tarnasky P. R., Hoffman B., Aabakken L. et al. Sphincter of Oddi dysfunction is associated with chronic pancreatitis. Am J Gastroenterol. 1997; 92(7): 1125–1129.
71. Thompson M. H., Williamson R. C., Salmon P. R. The clinical relevance of isolated ventral pancreas. Br J Surg. 1981; 68(2): 101–104. https://doi.org/10.1002/bjs.1800680212.
72. Toskes P. P., Forsmark C. E., DeMeo M. T. et al. A multicenter controlled trial of octreotide for the pain of chronic pancreatitis [abstract]. Pancreas. 1993; 8(6): 774.
73. Toskes P. P., Forsmark C. E., DeMeo M. T. et al. An open-label trial of octreotide for the pain of chronic pancreatitis. Gastroenterology. 1994; 106: A326.
74. Tulassay Z., Papp J. New clinical aspects of pancreas divisum. Gastrointest Endosc. 1980; 26(4): 143–146.
75. Venkatesh P. G., Navaneethan U., Vege S. S. Intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm and acute pancreatitis. J Clin Gastroenterol. 2011; 45(9): 755–758.
76. Vila J. J., Vicuna M., Irisarri R. et al. Diagnostic yield and reliability of endoscopic ultrasonography in patients with idiopathic acute pancreatitis. Scand J Gastroenterol. 2010; 45(3): 375–381. https://doi.org/10.3109/00365520903508894.
77. Warshaw A. L., Richter J. M., Schapiro R. H. The cause and treatment of pancreatitis associated with pancreas divisum. Ann Surg. 1983; 198(4): 443–452. https://doi.org/10.1097/00000658-198310000-00004.
78. Yadav D., Lowenfels A. B. Trends in the epidemiology of the first attack of acute pancreatitis: a systematic review. Pancreas. 2006; 33(4): 323–330. https://doi.org/10.1097/01.mpa.0000236733.31617.52.
79. Yusoff I. F., Raymond G., Sahai A. V. A prospective comparison of the yield of EUS in primary vs. recurrent idiopathic acute pancreatitis. Gastrointest Endosc. 2004; 60(5): 673–678. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0016-5107(04)02018-8.
80. Zarzavadjian Le Bian A., Cesaretti M., Tabchouri N. et al. Late pancreatic anastomosis stricture following pancreaticoduodenectomy: a systematic review. J Gastrointest Surg. 2018; 22(11): 2021–2028. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11605-018-3859-x.