Segmental groove pancreatitis accompanied by protein plugs in Santorini's duct

"Groove pancreatitis", a form of segmental pancreatitis affecting the head of the pancreas, is local-ized within the "groove" between pancreas head, duo-denum, and common bile duct. Differentiation between groove pancreatitis and pancreatic head carcinoma is often difficult. We report a case of groove pancreatitis in which a hypoechoic mass between the duodenal wall and pancreas was clearly imaged, and narrowing of the second portion of the duodenum and bile duct stenosis were also found. The diagnosis was confirmed by surgery (pylorus-preserving pancreato duodenectomy). The patient was relieved from abdominal pain post operation. Up to the present, the patient has been good condition. We review the clinicopathologic and radiologic features of groove pancreatitis in the Japanese literature and discuss the possible role of Santorini's duct in its pathogenesis. We consider that impacted protein plugs in Santorini's duct are a pathogenic factor in the development of groove pancreatitis. Therefore, the findings of Santorini's duct on endoscopic retrograde pancreatography are very important in the diagnosis of groove pancreatitis. Groove pancreatitis presents various clinical features, such as biliary stenosis, duodenal stenosis, and pancreatic mass, and often masquerades as pancreatic head carcinoma. This condition should be kept in mind in the differential diagnosis of pancreatic head carcinoma. (Received Apr. 17, 1997; accepted Sept. 26, 1997)     

Groove pancreatitis: report of a case and review of the clinical and radiologic features of groove pancreatitis reported in Japan

We report a case of groove pancreatitis in which a hypoechoic mass between the duodenum and pancreas head was clearly imaged, and narrowing of the supra-ampullary area of the duodenum and bile duct stenosis were also found. The diagnosis was confirmed by surgery. Microscopic examination showed extensive scarring between the duodenum and pancreas head. Protein plugs were found in Santorini's duct. We consider that the disturbance of the pancreatic juice outflow in Santorini's duct is one of the important pathogenic factors in the development of groove pancreatitis. Therefore, we emphasize the finding of Santorini's duct in the differential diagnosis of groove pancreatitis.     

A case of groove pancreatitis with a characteristic pathologic feature]

Groove pancreatitis is a rare form of chronic pancreatitis in which scarring is found mainly in the groove between the head of the pancreas, duodenum, and common bile duct. The pathogenesis of groove pancreatitis is still unclear but seems to be caused by the disturbance of pancreatic outflow through Santorini duct. It is often difficult to differentiate preoperatively between groove pancreatitis and pancreatic head carcinoma. Whereas conservative management is effective, some patients with duodenal obstruction may undergo Whipple's operation. A few cases of groove pancreatitis have been reported in Korea, and they were diagnosed only by clinical and radiological features. We experienced a case of groove pancreatitis who needed a surgical management because of severe duodenal obstruction. We report the case with a review of its characteristic pathologic findings.     

Groove pancreatitis.

Groove pancreatitis is characterized by the formation of a scar plate between the head of the pancreas and the duodenum, and is by no means a rare entity. In our material comprising surgical specimens, it was found to be present in 19.5% of the cases. This form of pancreatitis is "special" only on account of the topography of the scar tissue. Scarring of the groove leads to complications that are also determined by the topography: disturbance of the motility of the duodenum, stenosis of the duodenum, and tubular stenosis of the common bile duct, which occasionally extends to obstructive jaundice. In the "pure" forms of groove pancreatitis the main pancreatic duct is not involved, and this fact has a certain significance in the differential diagnosis vis-à-vis carcinoma of the head of the pancreas, since signs of stenosis with no involvement of the rest of the pancreas are, in the first instance, suspicious for carcinoma and provide the indication for surgery. A knowledge of the existence of groove pancreatitis suggests a differential-diagnostic alternative. In terms of etiology, pathogenesis, and the pathological/anatomical picture, groove pancreatitis is "special" only on account of its topographic aspects.     

A case of groove pancreatitis (segmental form) presented with obstructive jaundice associated with pancreatobiliary maljunction

A 52-year-old-man was admitted to our hospital for obstructive jaundice. Percutaneous transhepatic cholangio drainage (PTCD) and endscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) were performed, and pointed out stenosis of lower common bile duct (CBD) and pancreatobiliary maljunction. Brushing cytology of this lesion was negative for malignancy. CT and MRI revealed chronic inflammatory change in groove lesion with no mass formation suggesting tumor. So we diagnosed groove pancreatitis (segmental form) associated with pancreatobiliary maljunction, and operation (resection of the bile duct and biliary reconstruction by Roux-en-Y) was done. Resected specimen was revealed stenosis of the bile duct formed by fibrous tissue with no malignancy compatible to groove pancreatitis pathologically. This is first reported case of groove pancreatits associated with pancreatobiliary maljunction.     

A case of groove pancreatitis observed from initial stage

We report a case of groove pancreatitis. A 60-year-old man was admitted to our hospital because of nausea and vomitting. CT showed a mass lesion in the groove between the pancreas head, duodenum and common bile duct. He was given a diagnosis of the groove pancreatitis, and underwent endoscopic balloon dilation. Groove pancreatitis is rare, and we discuss this case with references.     

A Case of Groove Pancreatitis with Duodenal Stenosis

A 58‐year‐old man presented with a 2‐month history of nausea and vomiting. Blood levels of hepatic enzymes and pancreatitis markers were slightly elevated. Hypotonic duodenographic and endoscopic examinations revealed stenosis encircling the descending duodenum. A computed tomography (CT) scan showed inflammatory changes in the head of the pancreas and thickening of the duodenal wall. Magnetic resonance cholangiography demonstrated stenosis of the intrapancreatic segment of the common bile duct and diffuse dilatation of the main pancreatic duct, without irregularity. At laparotomy, microscopic examination of a needle biopsy specimen of the head of pancreas revealed no evidence of malignancy. Distal gastrectomy with Billroth II anastomosis was performed. Microscopically, fibrous thickening of the duodenal wall, serositis and hyperplasia of Brunner's glands were found. The presence of duodenal stenosis due to segmental pancreatitis, referred to as groove pancreatitis, was confirmed. The elevated blood levels of pancreatitis markers returned to the normal range 8 months after the operation. Ultrasonic echography and abdominal CT also revealed a marked reduction in dilatation of the extrahepatic bile duct and the main pancreatic duct. In patients suspected of having pancreatic carcinoma or regional pancreatitis, groove pancreatitis should be included in the differential diagnosis.     

Groove pancreatitis and pancreatic heterotopia in the minor duodenal papilla

Groove pancreatitis is a rare form of segmental chronic pancreatitis that involves the anatomic space between the head of the pancreas, the duodenum, and the common bile duct. We report 2 cases of groove pancreatitis with pancreatic heterotopia in the minor papilla. Patients were a 44-year-old woman and a 47-year-old man. Both had a past history of alcohol consumption and presented with abdominal pain, vomiting, and weight loss caused by duodenal stenosis. Abdominal computed tomography revealed thickening of the duodenal wall and enlargement of the pancreatic head in both patients. In 1 patient, ultrasound endoscopy showed a dilated duct in the head of the pancreas. Pancreaticoduodenectomy was performed to rule out pancreatic adenocarcinoma and because of the severity of the symptoms. In both cases, gross and microscopic examinations showed fibrous scar of the groove area. The Santorini duct was dilated and contained protein plugs in both patients, with abscesses in 1 of them. In both cases, there were microscopic foci of heterotopic pancreas with mild fibrosis in the wall of the minor papilla. Groove pancreatitis is often diagnosed in middle-aged alcoholic men presenting with clinical symptoms caused by duodenal stenosis. The pathogenesis of this rare entity could be because of disturbance of the pancreatic secretion through the minor papilla. Pancreatitis in heterotopic pancreas located in the minor papilla and chronic consumption of alcohol seem to be important pathogenic factors.     

Duct-narrowing chronic pancreatitis without immunoserologic abnormality: comparison with duct-narrowing chronic pancreatitis with positive serological evidence and its clinical management

We reviewed the clinical features and clinical course of patients with duct-narrowing chronic pancreatitis who were negative for immunoserologic test results (n = 16) in comparison with the findings for serological test-positive patients (n = 20) in order to determine an adequate treatment for those who had typical morphology of autoimmune pancreatitis in the absence of immunoserologic abnormality. No significant differences were found between the two groups of patients in clinical profiles including associated autoimmune-related diseases, pancreatic histology, and response to steroid therapy. Of the seronegative patients, eight who showed an improvement in narrowing of the main pancreatic duct with steroid therapy and three who did no show an improvement or who relapsed after surgical resection without this therapy had stenosis of the common bile duct with increased levels of serum hepatobiliary enzymes, except for two patients with affected sites limited to the body or tail of the gland. For the remaining five patients, who showed an improvement in pancreatic duct changes or long-term remission after surgery without steroid administration, normal biochemistry test results for liver functions were obtained, with no abnormal cholangiographic findings in the three patients examined. Duct-narrowing chronic pancreatitis without immunoserologic abnormality overlaps in clinical features with that fulfilling the immunoserologic criteria for a diagnosis of autoimmune pancreatitis. In particular, the disease with bile duct involvement should be treated clinically as autoimmune pancreatitis, for which steroid therapy is recommended, even if an autoimmune mechanism is not demonstrated serologically.     

Atypical primary sclerosing cholangitis cases associated with unusual pancreatitis.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: We encountered one group of primary sclerosing cholangitis cases which met classic criteria, but demonstrated better clinical courses. METHODOLOGY: We evaluated the clinical characteristics of several cases of primary sclerosing cholangitis, especially those associated with chronic pancreatitis. RESULTS: Of a total of 25 cases, eight had a background of pancreatitis with unusual irregularly segmental or diffuse narrowing features on pancreatography. Abdominal ultrasonography and computed tomography also revealed segmental or diffuse enlargement of the pancreas. Pathological findings of surgical specimens in two cases pointed to lymphoplasmacytic sclerosing pancreatitis. The walls of the lower biliary ducts were also thickened with a similar appearance to the pancreatic ducts. In seven cases, cholangiography displayed stenosis of the lower part of the common bile duct and in one case, only the hepatic hilar region was affected. In this case both biliary and pancreatic lesions responded to steroid therapy simultaneously. One case developed hepatic hilar stenosis four months after a lesion in the lower part of the common bile duct had disappeared. The cases of primary sclerosing cholangitis with pancreatitis demonstrated better clinical courses than did typical cases of primary sclerosing cholangitis. Six cases were characterized by autoimmunological abnormalities. CONCLUSIONS: We concluded that similar etiological agents might impact on both the pancreas and biliary tract, either simultaneously or in sequence. We propose new criteria for these atypical primary sclerosing cholangitis cases.     

Steroid responsive pancreatic mass-forming type 2 autoimmune pancreatitis

Autoimmune pancreatitis (AIP) has two distinct subsets. Type 1 AIP or lymphoplasmacytic sclerosing pancreatitis is systemic disease with the elevation in serum levels of the IgG4. Type 2 AIP, also called duct-centric pancreatitis, features granulocyte epithelial lesions with duct obstruction in the pancreas without systemic involvement. Here, we report a case of type 2 AIP diagnosed by pathology, which is the first report in Korea. The case is a 56-year-old woman who presented with anorexia and vomiting. Computed tomography revealed mass-like lesion in the pancreatic head and the compression of the distal common bile duct and the head portion of the main pancreatic duct. Serum levels of the IgG4 were normal. Histologic examination revealed a dense neutrophil infiltration in the pancreatic parenchyme associated with extensive fibrosis, thereby confirming the diagnosis of type 2 AIP. The abnormalities in the clinical, laboratory, and radiological findings improved after oral steroid treatment.     

自身免疫性胰腺炎的CT和MRI影像学征象

目的 探讨自身免疫性胰腺炎(autoimmune pancreatitis,AIP)的CT及MRI影像学表现特征.方法 回顾性分析14例经组织学和(或)类固醇激素治疗证实的AIP患者的CT及MRI资料.10例行CT检查,7例行MRI检查(其中3例同时做CT和MRI检查).结果 11例AIP表现为胰腺弥漫性肿大,3例为胰腺局限性肿大.10例CT平扫见胰腺病变区密度均降低,5例显示节段性胰管,5例见胆总管胰头段狭窄;7例在胰腺病变区周围可见环绕包膜样结构;动态增强后出现延迟均匀强化.7例MRI的抑脂T1WI显示胰腺病变后信号均匀降低(3例)或不均匀降低(4例),抑脂T2WI信号均匀增高(3例)或不均匀增高(4例);4例MRI显示胰管,MRCP见1例胰头部胰管局限性狭窄,2例胰管节段性狭窄;5例MRI见胆总管胰头段狭窄,MRCP见3例胆总管胰头段呈鸟嘴样狭窄;6例见胰腺病变区周围环绕包膜样结构.14例AIP均未见胰腺实质钙化,胰管均未见明显扩张(＞3 mm).结论 AIP的CT、MRI表现具有特征性,主要为胰腺呈腊肠样改变,胰周出现包膜样结构,胰管弥漫性或局限性狭窄,胆总管胰头段炎性狭窄.     

Endoscopic pancreatic and biliary manometry in pancreatic, biliary, and papillary disease, and after endoscopic sphincterotomy and surgical sphincteroplasty.

Endoscopic manometry was used to measure pancreatic duct, common bile duct, pancreatic duct sphincter and bile duct sphincter pressures in 43 healthy volunteers and 162 patients with a variety of papillary, pancreatic and biliary disorders. Common bile duct pressure was significantly raised after cholecystectomy, with common bile duct stones and papillary stenosis but pancreatic duct pressure only in papillary stenosis. After endoscopic sphincterotomy mean common bile duct pressure fell from 11.2 to 1.1 mmHg and pancreatic duct pressure from 18.0 to 11.2 mmHg. Distinct pancreatic duct sphincter and bile duct sphincter zones were identified as phasic pressures of 3-12 waves/minute on pull-through from pancreatic duct and common bile duct to duodenum. Pancreatic duct sphincter pressures were higher with common bile duct stones and stenosis whereas bile duct sphincter pressures were higher in pancreatitis and stenosis. Bile duct sphincter activity was present in 60% of patients after surgical sphincteroplasty but 21% of patients after endoscopic sphincterotomy. Endoscopic manometry facilitated the diagnosis of papillary stenosis, has allowed study of papillary pathophysiology and has shown a functional inter-relationship between the two sphincteric zones.     

Laparoscopic Pancreatic Biopsy in Autoimmune Pancreatitis—Report of TWO Cases

Two cases of autoimmune pancreatitis that were diagnosed by laparoscopic pancreatic biopsy are reported. Patient 1 was a 71–year-old woman with obstructive jaundice and dry eyes. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) revealed stenosis of the distal common bile duct and proximal main pancreatic duct. Only the head of the pancreas was enlarged. The patient had associated Sjogren's syndrome and sclerosing cholangitis. Patient 2 was a 65–year-old man with obstructive jaundice that occurred after laparoscopic cholecystectomy. ERCP revealed a diffusely irregular and narrowed pancreatic duct and stenosis of the distal common bile duct. The whole pancreas was enlarged. Both patients underwent laparoscopic pancreatic biopsy to rule out pancreatic cancer. The definitive diagnosis in each case was autoimmune pancreatitis. The postoperative course in both cases was uneventful. Both patients recovered quickly with steroid therapy undertaken soon after the biopsy. In summary, a laparoscopic approach for the pancreatic biopsy in autoimmune pancreatitis appears to be feasible and useful in determining the therapeutic strategy. (Dig Endosc 1999; 11: 250–254)     

Endoscopic assay and surgery at chronic pancreatitis]

OBJECTIVE: To assess the possibilities of endoscopic surgeries at the pathology of major duodenal papilla in patients with the painful form of chronic pancreatitis. The study involved 35 patients with the painful form of chronic pancreatitis including 19 subjects with cholecystectomy as a result of cholelithiasis, 8 subjects with alcohol-induced pancreatitis (4 of them had external pancreatic fistulas) and 8 patients with idiopathic pancreatitis. As many as 60 different X-ray and endoscopic procedures were carried out altogether: ERCPG, EPST and dissection of pancreatitis duct entrances as well as nasopancreatic drainage and stenting. ERCPG discovered the pathology of major duodenal papilla in the form of stenosis of the common bile duct entrance and/or main pancreatic duct entrance in 25 (71%) patients. At the same time, the ultrasonic examination discovered the pathology only in 7 patients (20%). EPST was performed in 20 patients of 25. The dissection of the major pancreatitis duct entrance was carried out in 16 of them; the dissection of the additional pancreatic duct was performed in 1 patient; the external pancreatic duct drainage was conducted in 5 patients; the additional pancreatic duct stenting was carried out in 1 patient. Fifteen patients (75%) felt better immediately upon the surgery. Ten patients were followed-up from 2 months to 3 years; steady amelioration was observed in 7 of them. There were complications in the form of acute pancreatitis in 3 patients after ERCPG and in 2 patients after endoscopic surgeries. There were no other complications or fatalities. For patients with the painful form of chronic pancreatitis, ERCPG is an informative and relatively safe technique enabling to discover the stenosis of the common bile duct entrance and/or main pancreatic duct entrance in 71% of cases. Endoscopic surgeries make it possible to produce an immediate positive result in 75% of cases.     

Histological alterations of the preampullary common bile and pancreatic duct in acute biliary and nonbiliary pancreatitis

Histological alterations of the preampullary common bile duct and the pancreatic duct were studied in the pancreata from 16 patients with acute biliary pancreatitis and 11 patients with acute nonbiliary pancreatitis. The corresponding controls either suffered from gallstone disease without pancreatitis or had neither gallstone disease nor pancreatitis. In acute biliary pancreatitis as well as in gallstone disease, a common channel is significantly less frequent than in acute nonbiliary pancreatitis and in the normal pancreas. The inflammatory alterations of the preampullary common bile duct are increased in biliary pancreatitis compared to nonbiliary pancreatitis and to controls. The inflammatory lesions of the distal common bile duct and distal pancreatic duct are significantly correlated. These findings favor the assumption that acute biliary pancreatitis is initiated by transient obstruction of the preampullary common bile duct producing a local inflammation which encroaches upon the adjacent region of the pancreatic duct.     

Pancreatic outflow obstruction as the critical event for human gall stone induced pancreatitis.

Opie suggested in 1901 that a common channel between the pancreatic duct and the common bile duct is created when a gall stone becomes impacted at the duodenal papilla. He proposed that bile would regurgitate into the pancreas and trigger pancreatitis. The case is reported of a 22 year old woman with an impacted stone at the duodenal papilla creating a common channel. The patient suffered from acute pancreatitis. Three days before the onset of pancreatitis, however, a T drain had been inserted into the common bile duct from which bile had been flowing freely and continuously. Moreover, amylase activity in fluid from the T drain was 49,000 U/l at the onset of pancreatitis pointing to reflux of pancreatic juice into the biliary tract. The amylase activity in bile decreased rapidly after endoscopic papillotomy and retrieval of the stone. The events participating in the development of acute gall stone induced pancreatitis in this patient with a common channel situation permitted reflux of pancreatic juice into the biliary tract rather than bile into the pancreas. Impairment of pancreatic outflow by a gall stone was probably the primary triggering event, rather than the regurgitation of bile into the pancreas. Preventive or therapeutic treatment in gall stone pancreatitis should be aimed at the urgent restoration of pancreatic flow rather than at the prevention of a hypothetical bile reflux.     

Chronic pancreatitis: a cause of cholestasis.

The bile ducts were visualised using endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), percutaneous or intravenous cholangiography in 38 patients with non-gallstone chronic pancreatitis. Stenosis of the intrapancreatic portion of the distal common bile duct was demonstrated in 11 patients. Ten of the 11 developed transient cholestasis during exacerbations of their chronic pancreatitis. In six cholestasis eventually persisted requiring surgical relief. Secondary biliary cirrhosis was present in one patient. No evidence of pancreatic carcinoma was found in the patients explored surgically. Ten of the patients are alive more than one year after diagnosis.Chronic pancreatitis was of alcoholic aetiology in 10 of the patients with biliary stenosis. Cholestasis and biliary stricture are common but poorly recognised complications of non-gallstone chronic pancreatitis, especially when pancreatitis is severe and due to alcohol.     

Inflammatory pseudotumor of the liver and peripheral eosinophilia in autoimmune pancreatitis

AIM: Inflammatory pseudotumor (IPT) of the liver is a rare benign lesion, the etiology of which remains obscure. It is not associated with any particular diseases apart from phlebitis and Crohn's disease. METHODS: A middle-aged male with hepatic IPT and peripheral eosinophilia associated with autoimmune pancreatitis (AIP) was selected for this study and review of literature. RESULTS: A 59-year-old male was admitted with obstructive jaundice, marked eosinophilia (1 343/mm3) and hypergammaglobulinemia (4 145 mg/dL). Imaging techniques revealed dilatation of the intrahepatic bile duct, stenosis of the common bile duct with diffuse wall thickening, gallbladder wall thickening, irregular narrowing of the pancreatic duct, and swelling of the pancreatic parenchyma. Multiple liver masses were also demonstrated and diagnosed as IPT by biopsy specimens. Six months later, the abnormal features of the biliary tree remarkably improved by the oral administration of prednisolone, and the liver masses disappeared. The swelling of the pancreatic head also improved. The peripheral eosinophil count normalized. IPT associated with AIP, as we know, has not been reported in the literature. The clinical features of the present case mimicked those of pancreatic cancer with liver metastasis. This case deserves to be documented to prevent misdiagnosis of similar cases.     

Clinical features of patients with chronic pancreatitis complicated by bile duct strictures

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Distal bile duct stenosis is relatively rare in patients with non-alcoholic chronic pancreatitis. METHODOLOGY: The clinical features of eight patients who had chronic pancreatitis complicated by bile duct strictures who underwent surgical treatments were reviewed. RESULTS: Ages ranged from 38 to 80 years, with a mean of 53.4 years. All but one patient were male. Six patients had moderate or slight epigastric pain. Five patients had obstructive jaundice and underwent biliary drainage. All patients had liver dysfunction due to biliary obstruction. Although four of the eight patients were heavy or moderate drinkers, none of the patients had a history of chronic pancreatitis. Stricture shapes of the common bile ducts were smooth and tapering in five patients, funnel-shaped in two, and rat-tail in one. Four patients underwent a pancreatoduodenectomy and one patient underwent a pylorus-preserving pancreatoduodenectomy for clinically suspected pancreatic malignancy that was later proven histopathologically to be chronic pancreatitis. The other three patients underwent a choledochoduodenostomy. There were no postoperative complications or deaths. During the follow-up period, all patients were asymptomatic. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, bile duct stricture potentially occurs not only in patients with alcoholic chronic pancreatitis but also in patients with nonalcoholic chronic pancreatitis. Furthermore, in some cases, it is impossible to differentiate chronic pancreatitis from pancreatic or periampullary malignancy.