Pancreatitis caused by duodenal duplication

The authors present the investigations and surgical treatment of two cases of duodenal cystic duplication. Abdominal pain and gastroesophageal reflux were the most important symptoms and signs associated with an history of re current acute pancreatitis. Computed tomography scan, ultrasound examinatio n, and cholangiography confirmed preoperatively the diagnosis, and a transd uodenal surgical approach was carried out in both children. A simple marsup ialization of the cyst was performed in the former, and a sphincterotomy wi th papillosphincteroplasty was associated in the latter. The diagnosis was confirmed by microscopy, and both the children are asymptomatic after a 14 and 18 months of follow-up. This report focuses on the importance of the ch olangiopancreatography for every child presenting with recurrent, unexplain ed bouts of acute pancreatitis, and underlines the technical surgical aspec ts on the basis of the anatomic identification of the malformation. Copyrig ht (C) 1999 by W.B. Saunders Company.