Santorinicele: secretin-enhanced magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography findings before and after minor papilla sphincterotomy

Endoscopic Ultrasound in Pancreatic Duct Anomalies

Embryological development of the pancreas is a complex phenomenon and, therefore, it can have multiple developmental aberrations. Fortunately, the majority of these pancreatic ductal anomalies are asymptomatic with no clinical relevance and are incidentally detected during diagnostic cross-sectional imaging or endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) or autopsy. Occasionally, pancreatic duct anomalies can result in symptoms like abdominal pain or recurrent pancreatitis. Also, an accurate pre-operative diagnosis of ductal anomalies can prevent inadvertent duct injury during surgery. Conventionally, ERCP had been used for an accurate diagnosis of pancreatic duct anomalies. However, because it is invasive and associated with a risk of pancreatitis, it has been replaced with magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP). MRCP has demonstrated high sensitivity and specificity for the diagnosis of ductal anomalies, which can be further improved with the use of secretin-enhanced MRCP. Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) is a new diagnostic and interventional tool in the armamentarium of endoscopists and has demonstrated promising results in the detection of pancreatic duct variations and anomalies. Along with the visualization of the course and configuration of the pancreatic duct, EUS can also visualize changes in the pancreatic parenchyma, thereby helping with an early diagnosis of any co-existent pancreatic disease. Absence of the stack sign and crossed duct sign are important EUS features to diagnose pancreas divisum. EUS can also help with the diagnosis of other congenital ductal anomalies like annular pancreas, ansa pancreatica, and anomalous pancreaticobiliary union, although the published experience is limited.

Reappraisal of factors impacting the cannulation rate and clinical efficacy of endoscopic minor papilla sphincterotomy

BACKGROUND

We aimed to assess factors impacting the endoscopic minor papilla sphincterotomy (EMPS) success rate, clinical efficacy, and safety in a large cohort of patients with symptomatic pancreas divisum (PD).

METHODS

Retrospective study including patients with PD referred to the Pancreas Institute of Verona from May 2009 to May 2020 to undergo EMPS. The whole population was analyzed to assess EMPS technical success, defined as the rate of deep cannulation of the dorsal duct. Patients treated for recurrent pancreatitis (RP) with a minimum follow-up of 1 year were included to evaluate the clinical efficacy, defined as resolution or significant reduction of acute pancreatitis (AP) episodes. Safety was defined as the rate of procedure-related adverse events (AEs) according to an international lexicon. The effects of the main determinants on study outcomes were evaluated.

RESULTS

Overall, 106 patients were evaluated. Technical success was obtained in 87 (82.1%). The presence of pancreatic calcifications was associated with failure (p < 0.0001). Clinical efficacy was evaluated in 59 patients. Resolution/reduction of AP episodes after EMPS was observed in 93% of patients over a median follow-up of 49 months (IQR 37-92). Smoking habit was associated with AP recurrence (p = 0.026). The overall AE rate was 14.9%, with post-ERCP pancreatitis as the most common complication (12.6%).

CONCLUSIONS

In our study, performed at a tertiary center, EMPS showed satisfactory technical success and an acceptable safety profile. If confirmed by prospective multicenter studies, EMPS could become the standard of care for the treatment of RP in PD.

Secretin-Enhanced MRCP: How and Why-AJR Expert Panel Narrative Review

Secretin-enhanced MRCP (S-MRCP) has advantages over standard MRCP for imaging of the pancreaticobiliary tree. Through the use of secretin to induce fluid production from the pancreas and leveraging of fluid-sensitive MRCP sequences, S-MRCP facilitates visualization of ductal anatomy, and the findings provide insight into pancreatic function, allowing radiologists to provide additional insight into a range of pancreatic conditions. This narrative review provides detailed information on the practical implementation of S-MRCP, including patient preparation, logistics of secretin administration, and dynamic secretin-enhanced MRCP acquisition. Also discussed are radiologists' interpretation and reporting of S-MRCP examinations, including assessments of dynamic compliance of the main pancreatic duct and of duodenal fluid volume. Established indications for S-MRCP include pancreas divisum, anomalous pancreaticobiliary junction, Santorinicele, Wirsungocele, chronic pancreatitis, main pancreatic duct stenosis, and assessment of complex postoperative anatomy. Equivocal or controversial indications are also described along with an approach to such indications. These indications include acute and recurrent acute pancreatitis, pancreatic exocrine function, sphincter of Oddi dysfunction, and pancreatic neoplasms.

Identification and management of pancreas divisum

Introduction: Pancreas divisum is the most common congenital malformation of the pancreas with the majority asymptomatic. The etiological role, pathogenesis, clinical significance and management of pancreas divisum in pancreatic disease has not been clearly defined and our understanding is yet to be fully elucidated.Areas covered: This review describes the role of pancreas divisum in the development of pancreatic disease and the ambiguity related to it. In our attempt to offer clarity, a comprehensive search on PubMed, Ovid, Embase and Cochrane Library from inception to May 2019 was undertaken using key words "pancreas divisum", "idiopathic recurrent acute pancreatitis" and "chronic pancreatitis".Expert opinion: Current research fails to define a clear association between pancreas divisum and pancreatic disease. Though debatable, several studies do suggest a pathological role of pancreas divisum in pancreatic disease and a benefit of minor papilla therapy in the setting of acute recurrent pancreatitis. Surgical and endoscopic therapeutic modalities have not been directly compared. With the current data available, it would be imprudent to advise a definitive line of management for pancreatic disease associated with pancreas divisum and should involve a comprehensive discussion with the individual patient to define expectations before embarking on any medical and/or interventional therapy.

[Pancreatic Mass or Cyst? Diagnostic Dilemma]

A santorinicele is a rare anomaly defined as focal cystic dilation of the terminal portion of the dorsal pancreatic duct at the minor papilla. Importantly this anomaly has been suggested as a possible cause of relative stenosis of the minor papilla. This anomaly has been associated with pancreatic divisum and recurrent acute pancreatitis. Magnetic resonance imaging/magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography and endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) are the main diagnostic modalities. Endoscopic minor papilla sphincterotomy has been shown to improve pain and quality of life in patients with this anomaly presenting with recurrent pancreatitis. We present a case of a single episode of pancreatitis who underwent EUS for evaluation of possible pancreatic mass leading to a diagnosis of santorinicele and complete pancreatic divisum. We attempt to describe this anomaly, diagnostic approach, and management options.

Pancreas divisum: a reemerging risk factor for pancreatic diseases

Pancreas divisum (PD) is the most common developmental anatomic variant of pancreatic duct. The attention towards the PD has grown significantly since there are reports that this condition may cause acute relapsing pancreatitis, chronic pancreatitis and chronic abdominal pain syndrome. Furthermore, over the years, there have been multiple reports of PD associated with different types of tumors. There is evidence that PD can be associated with pancreatic tumors (up to 12.5% of cases). The golden standard for diagnosing PD is endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography, but since it is an invasive procedure magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography with secretin is a good alternative. In case the patient is symptomatic, endoscopic or surgical treatment should be performed. This review describes the key points of the pathophysiology, diagnostic modalities, risks of pancreatitis and tumors, as well as treatment options of PD.

The clinical value of secretin-enhanced MRCP in the functional and morphological assessment of pancreatic diseases

Secretin-enhanced magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (S-MRCP) provides a non-invasive way, with which, to evaluate pancreatic duct (PD) anatomy and exocrine pancreatic function. S-MRCP can be added to the routine pancreas MR examination in equivocal cases. Moreover, it can detect subtle PD involvement, allowing diagnosis of early, rather than end-stage, pancreatic diseases. Although S-MRCP is a valuable non-invasive diagnostic method, it is only performed in a few centres due to relative high cost. Furthermore, less familiarity with its indications, the examination technique, and image interpretation also contribute to its limited use. Thus, the purpose of this article is to explain secretin's mechanism of action, the examination technique, the clinically relevant indications, the advantages, and limitations. Finally, we will focus on image analysis and its role in achieving an early and accurate diagnosis of specific pancreatic and PD diseases.

Efficacy of Endoscopic Minor Papilla Sphincterotomy for Symptomatic Santorinicele

BACKGROUND & AIMS

Santorinicele, a rare focal cystic dilation of the distal portion of the dorsal pancreatic duct at the minor papilla, can be a cause of recurrent acute pancreatitis (RAP). Endoscopic minor papilla sphincterotomy (EMPS) has been evaluated as a treatment in case reports but never systematically investigated.

METHODS

We performed a retrospective analysis of the efficacy of EMPS in reducing episodes of pancreatitis. We collected data on 30 patients with santorinicele and RAP who underwent EMPS from June 2009 through April 2015 at University Hospital of Verona in Italy. The mean follow-up period was 43.8 months.

RESULTS

The average number of pancreatitis episodes per year before EMPS was 1.59 vs 0.18 episodes after EMPS; the average number of pancreatitis cases that occurred during a comparable time period before EMPS was 2.63 vs 0.67 cases after EMPS (P < .0001). Complete responses to EMPS (no recurrence of pancreatitis) were reported for 80% of patients. Six patients relapsed after a mean time of 16 months. Five patients were found to have a potential cause of RAP beyond santorinicele (2 patients had post-sphincterotomy stenosis, 1 patient was a chronic consumer of alcohol, 1 patient had a mutation in the CFTR gene, and 1 patient had a side-branch intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm).

CONCLUSIONS

EMPS is effective in reducing the incidence of pancreatitis in patients with santorinicele.

A systematic review and quantitative analysis of different therapies for pancreas divisum

BACKGROUND

Pancreas divisum is the most common anatomical variation of pancreatic ductal system affecting 5-10% of population. Therapy includes different endoscopic and surgical procedures. The aim of this article was to summarize actual evidence of different treatment.

METHODS

A Medline search was performed to identify all studies, investigating endoscopic or surgical therapy of Pancreas divisum. An individual data simulation model was applied to compare endoscopic and surgical studies.

RESULT

56 observational studies (31 endoscopic and 25 surgical studies) were included in analyses. Surgery was significantly superior to endoscopic treatment in terms of success rate (72% vs. 62.3), complication rate (23.8% vs. 31.3%) and re-intervention rate (14.4% vs. 28.3%).

CONCLUSION

Surgery may be superior to endoscopy in terms of treatment success and complications. There is no study comparing these two therapies. Consequently, a randomized trial is needed to clarify if endoscopy or surgery is superior in the therapy of pancreas divisum.

Pancreatic duct stenosis: Differential diagnosis between malignant and benign conditions at secretin-enhanced MRCP

PURPOSE

To define imaging criteria of benign and malignant nature in patients with main pancreatic duct (MPD) stenosis.

MATERIALS-METHODS

S-MRCPs of 35 patients with pancreatitis and 14 with adenocarcinoma were evaluated.

RESULTS

Adenocarcinoma caused higher prevalence of complete stenosis (14/14-100% vs 17/35-49%), dilated side-branches (14/14-100% vs 18/35-51%) and lower prevalence of duct-penetrating sign (0/14-0% vs 31/35-89%). The number of stenoses was higher in benign conditions (mean 1.4 Vs 1). Upstream MPD diameter was higher in cancer-induced stenoses (4.5 vs 2.9mm).

CONCLUSIONS

Single complete stenosis with dilated side branches, increased MPD caliber and absent duct-penetrating sign are suggestive of malignancy.

Secretin-stimulated MR cholangiopancreatography: spectrum of findings in pancreatic diseases

Abstract

MR cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) is an imaging technique that has evolved over the past 2 decades and that continues to have a fundamental role in the non-invasive detection of morphologic features of the pancreatic ducts. In several studies, MRCP has shown a good correlation with endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography in the evaluation of diseases and anatomic variants of the pancreatic ductal system. However, in physiologic conditions the pancreatic ducts are not always easily recognisable. More recently, secretin-enhanced MRCP protocols have been developed for a more complete assessment of pancreatic ducts and glandular function, including monitoring of pancreatic flow dynamics and duodenal filling after pancreatic hormonal stimulation with secretin. The injection of this hormone causes temporary dilation of the pancreatic ducts, principally by increasing pancreatic exocrine secretions, and thus improving MRCP detection of the ducts and characterisation of pancreatic disorders and allowing the assessment of the exocrine pancreatic reserve. The purpose of this pictorial review is to summarise the technical aspects of secretin-stimulated MRCP, to report the secretin-stimulated MRCP findings of pancreatic duct abnormalities and to review the diagnostic capabilities of secretin-stimulated MRCP in various pancreatic ductal system conditions.

Main Messages

• MRCP has a fundamental role in the non-invasive detection of pancreatic ducts.

• In physiologic conditions pancreatic ducts are not always well detected on MRCP.

• Secretin injection causes temporary dilation of pancreatic ducts and thus improves MRCP detection.

• Secretin-stimulated MRCP may allow the assessment of the exocrine pancreatic reserve.

• Secretin increases the diagnostic capabilities of MRCP for evaluating pancreatic disorders.