Endoscopic ultrasound-guided tissue sampling induced pancreatic duct leak resolved by the placement of a pancreatic stent:A case report

BACKGROUND Pancreatic ductal leaks complicated by endoscopic ultrasonography-guided tissue sampling(EUS-TS)can manifest as acute pancreatitis.CASE SUMMARY A 63-year-old man presented with persistent abdominal pain and weight loss.Diagnosis:Laboratory findings revealed elevated carbohydrate antigen 19-9(5920 U/mL)and carcinoembryonic antigen(23.7 ng/mL)levels.Magnetic resonance imaging of the pancreas revealed an approximately 3 cm ill-defined space-occupying lesion in the inferior aspect of the head,with severe encasement of the superior mesenteric artery.Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma was confirmed after pathological examination of specimens obtained by EUS-TS using the fanning method.Interventions and outcomes:The following day,the patient experienced severe abdominal pain with high amylase(265 U/L)and lipase(1173 U/L)levels.Computed tomography of the abdomen revealed edematous wall thickening of the second portion of the duodenum with adjacent fluid collections and a suspicious leak from either the distal common bile duct or the main pancreatic duct in the head.Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography revealed dye leakage in the head of the main pancreatic duct.Therefore,a 5F 7 cm linear plastic stent was deployed into the pancreatic duct to divert the pancreatic juice.The patient’s abdominal pain improved immediately after pancreatic stent insertion,and amylase and lipase levels normalized within a week.Neoadjuvant chemotherapy was then initiated.CONCLUSION Using the fanning method in EUS-TS can inadvertently cause damage to the pancreatic duct and may lead to clinically significant pancreatitis.Placing a pancreatic stent may immediately resolve acute pancreatitis and shorten the waiting time for curative therapy.When using the fanning method during EUSTS,ductal structures should be excluded to prevent pancreatic ductal leakage.

Current Status and Perspectives of External Versus Internal Pancreatic Duct Drainage during the Learning Curve of Laparoscopic Pancreaticoduodenectomy

Objectives: To summarize the current status and outlook of pancreatic duct drainage in the learning curve period of laparoscopic pancreaticoduodenectomy (LPD). Methods: By searching the literature related to the efficacy analysis of internal versus external pancreatic duct drainage in pancreaticoduodenectomy (OPD) and the learning curve period of laparoscopic pancreaticoduodenectomy in recent years at home and abroad and making a review. Results: Because of the complexity of the LPD surgical procedure, the high technical requirements and the high complication rate, it is necessary for the operator and his/her team to carry out a certain number of cases to pass through the learning curve in order to have a basic mastery of the procedure. In recent years, more and more pancreatic surgeons have begun to promote and use pancreatic duct drains. However, no consensus conclusion has been reached on whether to choose internal or external drainage for pancreatic duct placement and drainage in LPD. Conclusions: Intraoperative application of pancreatic duct drainage reduces the incidence of pancreatic fistula during the learning curve of laparoscopic pancreaticoduodenectomy. However, external pancreatic duct drainage and internal pancreatic duct drainage have both advantages and disadvantages, so when choosing the drainage method, one should choose the appropriate drainage method in conjunction with one’s own conditions, so as to reduce the incidence of complications.

Clinical usefulness and current problems of pancreatic duct stenting for preventing post-ERCP pancreatitis

Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography(ERCP) is an endoscopic procedure with high frequency of accidental symptoms, and particularly some patients who develop and aggravate pancreatitis due to the procedure may need treatment of surgery or die. Various attempts were performed so far to prevent post-ERCP pancreatitis, however, it is impossible to completely prevent pancreatitis at this time because there are various factors for occurrence of post-ERCP pancreatitis.One of the most frequent causes of post-ERCP pancreatitis is considered to be congestion of pancreatic juice associated with duodenal papilledema after examination or treatment. Recently it is often reported that use of a pancreatic duct stent may prevent occurrence of pancreatitis which occurs because of an increased inner pressure of the pancreatic duct caused by congestion of pancreatic juice associated with duodenal papilledema. However, there are some patients who develop pancreatitis even if treated with the pancreatic duct stent, thus further clarification of the pathology and advancement of the prophylactic method will be needed.

Pancreatic duct stones in patients with chronic pancreatitis:surgical outcomes

BACKGROUND: Pancreatic duct stone (PDS) is a common complication of chronic pancreatitis. Surgery is a common therapeutic option for PDS. In this study we assessed the surgical procedures for PDS in patients with chronic pancreatitis at our hospital. METHOD: Between January 2004 and September 2009, medical records from 35 patients diagnosed with PDS associated with chronic pancreatitis were retrospectively reviewed and the patients were followed up for up to 67 months. RESULTS: The 35 patients underwent ultrasonography, computed tomography, or both, with an overall accuracy rate of 85.7%. Of these patients, 31 underwent the modified Puestow procedure, 2 underwent the Whipple procedure, 1 underwent simple stone removal by duct incision, and 1 underwent pancreatic abscess drainage. Of the 35 patients, 28 were followed up for 4-67 months. There was no postoperative death before discharge or during follow-up. After the modified Puestow procedure, abdominal pain was reduced in patients with complete or incomplete stone clearance (P>0.05). Steatorrhea and diabetes mellitus developed in several patients during a long-term follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Surgery, especially the modified Puestow procedure, is effective and safe for patients with PDS associated with chronic pancreatitis. Decompression of intraductal pressure rather than complete clearance of all stones predicts postoperative outcome.

Internal compared with external drainage of pancreatic duct during pancreaticoduodenectomy: a retrospective study

Objective： To compare internal with external drainage of the pancreatic duct during pancreaticoduodenectomy with regard to the incidence of postoperative pancreatic fistula （POPF） and other complications. Methods： We retrospectively analyzed 316 patients who underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy with a placed drainage tube （external, n=128; internal, n=188） in the pancreatic duct from 1 January 1999 to 31 December 2011 in Tianjin Third Central Hospital of China. The incidence of POPF and some other complications were compared. Results： There was no difference in the incidence rates of POPF between those given an internal or external drainage tube （P=0.788）, but POPF was more severe in the former （P=0.014）. Intraperitoneal bleeding rate was also higher in the patients with internal drainage （P=0.040）, but operative time and postoperative hospitalization were longer in those with external drainage （P=0.002 and P=0.007, respectively）. There was no difference between the groups with regard to the incidence rates of gastrointestinal bleeding, delayed gastric emptying, pulmonary infection, or incision infection and in-hospital mortality. Conclusions： External drainage of the pancreatic duct during pancreaticoduodenectomy can decrease the severity of POPF, but operative time and postoperative hospitalization will be extended.

Retrospective analysis of 88 patients with pancreatic duct stone

BACKGROUND: Pancreatic duct stone is a rare disease, but there appears to be a rising trend in its incidence in recent years. Its pathogenesis remains unknown. The causes, diagnosis and treatment of pancreatic duct stone are reviewed through a retrospective analysis of the cases treated in our hospital. METHODS: The medical records of 88 patients with pancreatic duct stone treated in West China Hospital, Sichuan University from January 1, 1998 to November 30, 2004 were analyzed retrospectively in terms of clinical characteristics, diagnosis and treatment. RESULTS: Epigastric pain was the most common symptom in the 88 patients with an average age of 45.44 +/- 6.72 years. Various other symptoms were also observed. Eighty-one patients were subjected to B-ultrasonography, 51 to CT, and 47 to magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP). Fifty-six patients (63.64%) were operated on, 25 (28.41%) were treated with Chinese and Western medicine, and 7 (7.95%) abandoned treatment. Chronic pancreatitis was pathologically confirmed in all patients undergoing operation. CONCLUSIONS: B-ultrasonography is the first choice to check for pancreatic duct stone, while MRCP proves instructively useful for the diagnosis and treatment. Chronic pancreatitis is the most important cause of pancreatic duct stone, but whether there is not a direct correlation between stone formation and alcohol abuse needs further study in China. Surgery is the most curative method for pancreatic duct stone patients with severe symptoms or suspected pancreatic carcinoma, while individual treatment is emphasized, and microtraumatic surgery may be a developing option for treating pancreatic stone.

Laparoscopic pancreatic duct incision and stone removal and T-type tube drainage for pancreatic duct stone: A case report and review of literature

To study a more micro-invasive procedure for patients having pancreatic duct stones(PDS).Till now,there has been no report of laparoscopic pancreatic duct incision and stone removal and T-type tube drainage for PDS in the English literature.An 82-year-old man suffered from subxiphoid pain associated with a dilated pancreatic duct(7 mm)containing one stone,but without a mass in the head of the pancreas.Laparoscopic pancreatic duct incision,stone removal,and T-type tube drainage were successfully performed without intraoperative or postoperative complications.An uneventful operation was performed with laparoscopically completed procedures in 160 min.The intraoperative loss of blood was around 50 mL.After patient a discharge on day 11,complete relief from the subxiphoid pain was reported at a follow-up visit 15 mo later.Laparoscopic pancreatic duct incision with stone removal and T-type tube drainage is applicable in carefully selected patients and can be effectively and safely used for the treatment of the abdominal pain of chronic pancreatitis.

Clinical significance of main pancreatic duct dilation on computed tomography: Single and double duct dilation

AIM: To study the patients with main pancreatic duct dilation on computed tomography (CT) and thereby to provide the predictive criteria to identify patients at high risk of significant diseases, such as pancreatic cancer, and to avoid unnecessary work up for patients at low risk of such diseases. METHODS: Patients with dilation of the main pancreatic duct on CT at Emory University Hospital in 2002 were identified by computer search. Clinical course and ultimate diagnosis were obtained in all the identified patients by abstraction of their computer database records. RESULTS: Seventy-seven patients were identified in this study. Chronic pancreatitis and pancreatic cancer were the most common causes of the main pancreatic duct dilation on CT. Although the majority of patients with isolated dilation of the main pancreatic duct (single duct dilation) had chronic pancreatitis, one-third of patients with single duct dilation but without chronic pancreatitis had pancreatic malignancies, whereas most of patients with concomitant biliary duct dilation (double duct dilation) had pancreatic cancer. CONCLUSION: Patients with pancreatic double duct dilation need extensive work up and careful followup since a majority of these patients are ultimately diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Patients with single duct dilation, especially such patients without any evidence of chronic pancreatitis, also need careful follow-up since the possibility of pancreatic malignancy, including adenocarcinoma and intraductal papillary mucinous tumors, is still high.

Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy for pancreatic and large common bile duct stones

Extraction of large pancreatic and common bile duct(CBD)calculi has always challenged the therapeutic endoscopist.Extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy(ESWL)is an excellent tool for patients with large pancreatic and CBD calculi that are not amenable to routine endotherapy.Pancreatic calculi in the head and body are targeted by ESWL,with an aim to fragment them to<3 mm diameter so that they can be extracted by subsequent endoscopic retrograde cholangio-pancreatography(ERCP).In our experience,complete clearance of the pancreatic duct was achieved in 76% and partial clearance in 17%of 1006 patients.Short-term pain relief with reduction in the number of analgesics ingested was seen in 84%of these patients.For large CBD calculi,a nasobiliary tube is placed to help target the calculi,as well as bathe the calculi in salinea simple maneuver which helps to facilitate fragmenta-tion.The aim is to fragment calculi to<5 mm size and clear the same during ERCP.Complete clearance of the CBD was achieved in 84.4%of and partial clearance in 12.3%of 283 patients.More than 90%of the patients with pancreatic and biliary calculi needed three or fewer sessions of ESWL with 5000 shocks being de-livered at each session.The use of epidural anesthesia helped in reducing patient movement.This,together with the better focus achieved with newer third-gen-eration lithotripters,prevents collateral tissue damage and minimizes the complications.Complications in our experience with nearly 1300 patients were minimal,and no extension of hospital stay was required.Similar rates of clearance of pancreatic and biliary calculi with minimal adverse effects have been reported from the centers where ESWL is performed regularly.In view of its high efficiency,non-invasive nature and low complication rates,ESWL can be offered as the first-line therapy for selected patients with large pancreatic and CBD calculi.

Metal stents placement for refractory pancreatic duct stricture in children

AIM To evaluate the use of fully covered self-expandable metal stents(FCSEMSs) for pancreatic duct strictures in children with chronic pancreatitis.METHODS Eight patients with refractory benign dominant stricture of the main pancreatic duct(MPD) were enrolled through chart reviews between December 2014 and June 2017 in a single center. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography(ERCP) with placement of a 6-mm FCSEMS with dual flaps was performed. Endoscopic removal of FCSEMSs was performed with a snare or rat-tooth forceps. All procedures were performed by a pediatric gastroenterologist. For the assessment of outcomes, technical and clinical success, adverse events, and stent patency were evaluated retrospectively.RESULTS The placement and removal of the FCSEMSs were successful in all 8 patients. Five patients were boys and 3 were girls. The median age at initial FCSEMS placement was 12 years(range, 5-18 years). The diameters of all the inserted stents were 6 mm, and the lengths were 4-7 cm. The median indwelling time was 6 mo(range, 3-10 mo). No pancreatic sepsis, pancreatitis, cholestasis, or mortality occurred. There was no proximal and distal migration. All subjects showed a patent stent. On follow-up ERCP, the mean diameter of the stricture improved from 1.1 mm to 2.8 mm(P < 0.05), whereas that of upstream dilation improved from 8.4 mm to 6.3 mm(P < 0.05).CONCLUSION This initial experience showed that temporary FCSEMS placement is feasible and safe for the management of refractory benign MPD stricture in children.

Integrity of the pancreatic duct-acinar system in the pathogenesis of acute pancreatitis

BACKGROUND: Acute pancreatitis is an acute inflammatory process of the pancreas that frequently involves peripancreatic tissues and at times remote organ systems. For a long time, the etiology and pathogenesis of acute pancreatitis has been intensively investigated worldwide, but the pathogenetic theories are controversial. The integrity of the pancreatic duct-acinar system might play an important role in the pathogenesis of this disease. DATA SOURCES: Web of Science and PubMed databases were searched for published studies (between January 1966 and June 2009) to identify relevant articles using the keywords 'acinar hyperstimulation', 'pathogenesis', 'acute pancreatitis', 'pancreatic duct-acinar system', and 'pancreatic duct pressure'. Most of the relevant articles were reviewed. RESULTS: From critical reading of the relevant articles, we found that the underlying mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of acute pancreatitis are still under debate and ill-understood. On the basis of the relevant studies, we propose a hypothesis for the pathogenesis of acute pancreatitis, in which the integrity of the pancreatic duct-acinar system plays an essential role in the onset and progression of various forms of the disease. CONCLUSIONS: In our hypothesis, pancreatic duct obstruction and hyperstimulation of the exocrine pancreas are preconditions for the onset of acute pancreatitis; under the common conditions of pancreatic duct obstruction and acinar hyperstimulation, acute pancreatitis arises and develops. This may be an important common pathophysiological mechanism causing various forms of acute pancreatitis. (Hepntobiliary Pancreat Dis Int 2010; 9: 242-247)

Clinical implications of accessory pancreatic duct

The accessory pancreatic duct (APD) is the main drainage duct of the dorsal pancreatic bud in the embryo,entering the duodenum at the minor duodenal papilla (MIP).With the growth,the duct of the dorsal bud undergoes varying degrees of atrophy at the duodenal end.Patency of the APD in 291 control cases was 43% as determined by dye-injection endoscopic retrograde pancreatography.Patency of the APD in 46 patients with acute pancreatitis was only 17%,which was significantly lower than in control cases (P < 0.01).The terminal shape of the APD was correlated with APD patency.Based on the data about correlation between the terminal shape of the APD and its patency,the estimated APD patency in 167 patients with acute pancreatitis was 21%,which was signif icantly lower than in control cases (P < 0.01).A patent APD may function as a second drainage system for the main pancreatic duct to reduce the pressure in the main pancreatic duct and prevent acute pancreatitis.Pancreatographic f indings of 91 patients with pancreaticobiliary maljunction (PBM) were divided into a normal duct group (80 patients) and a dorsal pancreatic duct (DPD) dominant group (11 patients).While 48 patients (60%) with biliary carcinoma (gallbladder carcinoma,n=42;bile duct carcinoma,n=6) were identified in PBM with a normal pancreatic duct system,only two cases of gallbladder carcinoma (18%) occurred in DPD-dominant patients (P < 0.05).Concentration of amylase in the bile of DPD dominance was signifi cantly lower than that of normal pancreatic duct system (75 403.5 ± 82 015.4 IU/L vs 278 157.0 ± 207 395.0 IU/L,P < 0.05).In PBM with DPD dominance,most pancreatic juice in the upper DPD is drained into the duodenum via the MIP,and reflux of pancreatic juice to the biliary tract might be reduced,resulting in less frequency of associated biliary carcinoma.

Involvement of pancreatic and bile ducts in autoimmune pancreatitis

AIM：To examine the involvement of the pancreatic and bile ducts in patients with autoimmune pancreatitis. METHODS： Clinical and cholangiopancreatographic findings of 28 patients with autoimmune pancreatitis were evaluated. For the purposes of this study, the pancreatic duct system was divided into three portions： the ventral pancreatic duct, the head portion of the dorsal pancreatic duct; and the body and tail of the dorsal pancreatic duct. RESULTS： Both the ventral and dorsal pancreatic ducts were involved in 24 patients, while in 4 patients only the dorsal pancreatic duct was involved. Marked stricture of the bile duct was detected in 20 patients and their initial symptom was obstructive jaundice. Six patients showed moderate stenosis to 30%-40% of the normal diameter, and the other two patients showed no stenosis of the bile duct. Although marked stricture of the bile duct was detected in 83% （20/24） of patients who showed narrowing of both the ventral and dorsal pancreatic ducts, it was not observed in the 4 patients who showed involvement of the dorsal pancreatic duct alone （P = 0.0034）. CONCLUSION： Both the ventral and dorsal pancreatic and bile ducts are involved in patients with autoimmune pancreatitis.

Endoscopic pancreatic duct stent placement for inflammatory pancreatic diseases

The role of endoscopic therapy in the management of pancreatic diseases is continuously evolving; at present most pathological conditions of the pancreas are successfully treated by endoscopic retrograde cholangio- pancreatography （ERCP） or endoscopic ultrasound （EUS）, or both. Endoscopic placement of stents has played and still plays a major role in the treatment of chronic pancreatitis, pseudocysts, pancreas divisum, main pancreatic duct injuries, pancreatic fistulae, complications of acute pancreatitis, recurrent idiopathic pancreatitis, and in the prevention of post-ERCP pancreatitis. These stents are currently routinely placed to reduce intraductal hypertension, bypass obstructing stones, restore lumen patency in cases with dominant, symptomatic strictures, seal main pancreatic duct disruption, drain pseudocysts or fluid collections, treat symptomatic major or minor papilla sphincter stenosis, and prevent procedure-induced acute pancreatitis. The present review aims at updating and discussing techniques, indications, and results of endoscopic pancreatic duct stent placement in acute and chronic inflammatory diseases of the pancreas.

Pancreatic duct guidewire placement for biliary cannulation in a single-session therapeutic ERCP

AIM: To investigate the technical success and clinical complication rate of a cannulated pancreatic duct with guidewire for biliary access. METHODS: During a five-year study period, a total of 2843 patients were included in this retrospective analysis. Initial biliary cannulation method consisted of single-guidewire technique (SGT) for up to 5 attempts, followed by double-guidewire technique (DGT) when repeated unintentional pancreatic duct cannulation had taken place. Pre-cut papillotomy technique was reserved for when DGT had failed or no pancreatic duct cannulation had been previously achieved. Main outcome measurements were defined as biliary cannu-lation success and post-endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) complication rate. RESULTS: SGT (92.3% success rate) was characterized by statistically significant enhanced patient outcome compared to either the DGT (43.8%, P < 0.001), pre-cut failed DGT (73%, P < 0.001) or pre-cut as first step method (80.6%, P = 0.002). Pre-cut as first step method offered a statistically significantly more favorable outcome compared to the DGT (P < 0.001). The incidence of post-ERCP pancreatitis did not differ in a statistically significant manner between either method (SGT: 5.3%, DGT: 6.1%, Pre-cut failed DGT: 7.9%, Pre-cut as first step: 7.5%) or with patients' gender. CONCLUSION: Although DGT success rate proved not to be superior to SGT or pre-cut papillotomy, it is considered highly satisfactory in terms of safety in order to avoid the risk of a pre-cut when biliary therapy is necessary in difficult-to-cannulate cases.

Novel endoscopic management for pancreatic pseudocyst with fistula to the common bile duct

Pancreatic pseudocyst formation is a well-known complication of pancreatitis. It represents about 75% of the cystic lesions of the pancreas and might be located within or surrounding the pancreatic tissue. Sixty percent of the occurrences resolve spontaneously and only persistent, symptomatic or complicated cysts need to be treated. Complications include infection, hemorrhage, gastric outlet obstruction, splenic infarction and rupture. The formation of fistulas to other viscera is rare and most commonly occurs within the stomach, duodenum or colon. We report a case of a patient with a pancreatic pseudocyst in communication with the common bile duct. There have been only few cases reported in the literature. We successfully managed our case by performing an endoscopicultrasound-guided drainage of the pancreatic collection and a contemporaneous stenting of the common bile duct. Performed independently, both drainages are effective, safe and well-coded and the expertise on these procedures is widespread. By our knowledge this therapeutic approach was never reported in literature but we retain this is the most correct treatment for this very rare condition.

Detection of K-ras gene mutation at codon 12 by pancreatic duct brushing for pancreatic cancer

OBJECTIVE: To assess the diagnostic value of endoscopic pancreatic duct brushing in detecting mutation of the K-ras gene at codon 12 in cytologic specimens from patients with pancreatic cancer. METHODS: Thirty-five patients treated at Changhai Hospital, Shanghai between 1999 and 2001 were enrolled. Their cells obtained by pancreatic duct brushing during endoscopic retrograde tholangiopancreatography (ERCP) were suspended with phosphate buffer solution (PBS). DNA of the cells was extracted and mutation of the K-ras gene at codon 12 detected by means of PCR-SSCP. RESULTS: The K-ras gene mutation rate of pancreatic cancer was 70%, which was higher than that of chronic pancreatitis (14%, P<0.05). K-ras gene mutation was not found in patients with pancreatic cystorcarcinoma and duodenum carcinoma. As to the location of pancreatic cancer, no significant difference was observed between the head, the body and tail. The sensitivity, specificity, accuracy of pancreatic duct brushing in detecting pancreatic cancer was 70%, 94%, and 83%, respectively. CONCLUSION: K-ras analysis of pancreatic brushing samples is helpful in the diagnosis of patients with early pancreatic cancer.

Clinical Study on Suspension Pancreatic-Duct-Jejunum End-to-Side Continuous Suture Anastomosis in Pancreaticoduodenectomy

Objective To study the influence of Suspension Pancreatic-Duct-Jejunum End-to-Side Continuous Suture Anastomosis （SPDJCS） on the incidence of pancreatic fistula after pancreaticoduodenectomy, and to analyze its applicability, safety, and efficacies. Methods A prospective controlled trial was conducted with 165 cases receiving pancreati- coduodenectomy in the Department of Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery from January 2010 to May 2012. The patients were divided into Group A （end-to-end/end-to-side invaginated anastomosis, n=52）, Group B （end-to-side mucosal anastomosis, n=48）, and Group C （SPDJCS, n=65）. The preoperative data, intra- operative data, and operative outcomes （incidence of pancreatic fistula, operation time, intraoperative blood loss, peritoneal drainage, peritoneal hemorrhage, peritoneal abscess, delayed gastric emptying, pulmonary infection, postoperative infection, blood transfusion, and perioperative mortality） were com- pared among the 3 groups. Results The total incidence of pancreatic fistula was 13.9% （23/165） in all the 165 patients. The inci- dence in Group A and Group B was 23.1% （12/52） and 18.8% （9/48）, both higher than that in Group C [3.1% （2/65）, both P〈0.05]. Group C showed significantly better outcomes than group A and B in terms of the opera- tion time （5.5±1.2 hours vs. 6.1±1.1 hours, 5.5±1.2 hours vs. 6.3±1.5 hours）, volume of blood loss （412.0±205.0 mL vs. 525.0±217.0 mL, 412.0±205.0 mL vs. 514.0±217.0 mL）, and postoperative drainage amount of plasma tubes （175.0±65.0 mE vs. 275.0±80.0 mL, 175.0±65.0 mL vs. 255.0±75.0 mL） （all P〈0.05）, while Group A and Group B displayed no difference in these aspects （P〉0.05）. As complications other than pancreatic fistula were concerned, the three groups were not different from each other （P〉0.05）. Conclusions SPDJCS may have the effect of reducing the incidence of pancreatic fistula after pan- creaticoduodenectomy. It could be safe, practical and convenient technique of anastomosis for pancreaticoje- junostomy.

Complete pancreatic heterotopia of gallbladder with hypertrophic duct simulating an adenomyoma

The gallbladder is an unusual location of pancreatic heterotopia, defined as the presence of pancreatic tissue lacking anatomical and vascular continuity with the main body of the gland. A 28-year-old man presented with anorexia, nausea and pain in the right upper abdomen. On physical examination, the abdomen was tender to palpation and Murphy sign was positive. The patient underwent a cholecystecomy. This case, in our opinion, is very interesting since it permits to consider a controversial issue in the pathology of the gallbladder. The histological appearance of ductal structure in pancreatic heterotopia resembles the histological picture of both Aschoff-Rokitansky （AR） sinuses and adenomyomas. This finding suggests that these lesions are linked by a common histogenetic origin. We suggest that the finding of an adenomyoma in the gallbladder should prompt an extensive sampling of the organ in order to verify the coexistence of pancreatic rests.

Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography for the detection of pancreatic duct stones in patients with chronic pancreatitis

AIM:To assess the role of magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography(MRCP) in detection of pancreatic duct stones(PDS) in patients with chronic pancreatitis(CP).METHODS:Clinical data of 78 CP patients who were treated at the First Affi liated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University(China) between January 2004 and July 2008 were retrospectively analyzed.A predictive model of pancreatic duct stones was established through logistic regression and its effectiveness was verifi ed.Among these patients, MRCP was performed in 60 patients who served as a control group, while 44 patients with a higher predictive value than the entry threshold of the predictive model served as an experimental group.RESULTS:The positive rate of PDS in the 78 patients with CP was 19.2%(15/78).The predictive entry threshold of the predictive model was 5%(P < 0.05).The possibility of existence of PDS could be predicted according to the following 4 indexes:gastrointestinal symptoms, intermittent abdominal pain, diabetes mellitus(DM)/impaired glucose tolerance(IGT) and positive B-mode ultrasound results.The incidence of PDS in the experimental group was higher than that in the control group(P < 0.05).CONCLUSION:MRCP is strongly suggested for the detection of PDS in patients with gastrointestinal symptoms, intermittent abdominal pain, DM/IGT and positive B-mode ultrasound results.