| Abstract: | Abstract: The aim of this study was to indirectly evaluate functional aspects of the accessory papilla, by measuring the diameter of the dorsal duct in non-fusion (pancreas divisum). In 56 patients with definite non-fusion, the diameter of the duct on ERCP was measured with a caliper rule, in the ventral duct (V1, V2), in the head of the dorsal duct (Dh1, Dh2), the body (Dbl, Db2), and the tail (Dt1, Dt2). The controls were 61 consecutive patients with a normally fused pancreatic duct system. The mean value ± SD were V1:2.0±1.1, V2:1.7±0.8, Dh1:2.5±0.6, Dh2:2.6±0.8, Dbl:2.7±0.8, Db2: 2.1 ±0.5, Dt1: 1.7±0.5, Dt2: 0.9±0.2 in the non-fusion group. The values in the control group were 3.4±0.9, 3.0±0.8, 1.0±0.3, 1.3±0.4, 2.6±0.6, 2.3±0.6, 1.6 ± 0.3, 0.9 ± 0.2, respectively. Results showed that the diameter of the pancreatic duct was significantly related to the age of the patient in the body and tail of the non-fusion group but not in the controls (p<0.05). The diameter of the ventral duct in the control group was related to the age but not in the non-fusion group (p<0.0001). In non-fusion group, mean values of V1 and V2 was smaller (p<0.02), and Dh1 and Dh2 were larger (p<0.05) than those in the controls. While there were no significant differences in the mean values of Db1, Db2, Dt1, and Dt2 in both groups. These results may indicate a more prominent influences of age to the caliber changes of pancretic duct when non-fusion existed. |
