Annular pancreas pathophysiology

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]

Annular pancreas is typically associated with abnormal embryological development, however adult cases can develop. It can result from growth of a bifid ventral pancreatic bud around the duodenum, where the parts of the bifid ventral bud fuse with the dorsal bud, forming a pancreatic ring. It can also result if the ventral pancreatic bud fails to fully rotate, so it remains on the right or if the dorsal bud rotates in the wrong direction, such that the duodenum is surrounded by pancreatic tissue. Blockage of the duodenum develops if inflammation (pancreatitis) develops in the annular pancreas.

Annular pancreas is a congenital birth defect. Certain conditions may be associated with annular pancreas, these are:

• Down syndrome
• Other congenital gastrointestinal problems
• Pancreatitis
• Excessive amniotic fluid during pregnancy (polyhydramnios)

Template:Congenital malformations and deformations of digestive system

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