Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Agenesis of the Dorsal Pancreas and Associated Diseases

  • Review
  • Published:
Digestive Diseases and Sciences Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Background Agenesis of the dorsal pancreas is a very rare congenital pancreatic malformation and is associated with some other diseases. Methods A PubMed search revealed 53 cases of agenesis of the dorsal pancreas. Results In 28 patients with this congenital malformation hyperglycemia was demonstrated, 27 had abdominal pain, 16 had pancreatitis, 14 had an enlarged or prominent pancreatic head visible on computed tomography, and in a few cases, polysplenia, which may occur with various congenital anomalies of visceral organs, was described. Conclusions Difficulties involved in obtaining a firm diagnosis have led to a variety of terms being used to describe this congenital disease. Diagnosis of agenesis of the dorsal pancreas is inconclusive without demonstration of the absence of the dorsal pancreatic duct. Here we describe the embryological development of the pancreas, the so-far known cases of agenesis of the dorsal pancreas with associated medical problems, and the diagnostic measures to find the right conclusions.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Cano DA, Hebrok M, Zenker M (2007) Pancreatic development and disease. Gastroenterology 132:745–762. doi:10.1053/j.gastro.2006.12.054

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  2. Spagnoli FM (2007) From endoderm to pancreas: a multistep journey. Cell Mol Life Sci 64:2378–2390. doi:10.1007/s00018-007-7184-x

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. Ashraf A, Abdullatif H, Hardin W, Moates JM (2005) Unusual case of neonatal diabetes mellitus due to congenital pancreas agenesis. Pediatr Diabetes 6:239–243. doi:10.1111/j.1399-543X.2005.00114.x

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  4. Baumeister FA, Engelsberger I, Schulze A (2005) Pancreatic agenesis as a cause for neonatal diabetes mellitus. Klin Padiatr 217:76–81. doi:10.1055/s-2004-822657

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. Heiberg KA (1911) Ein Fall von fehlender Cauda pancreatis (bei einem Diabetiker). Centralbl Allg Pathol Patholog Anat 22:676–677

    Google Scholar 

  6. Ghon A, Roman B (1913) Ein Fall von Missbildung des Pancreas mit Diabetes mellitus. Prager Med Wochenschr 38:1314–1317

    Google Scholar 

  7. Priesel A (1923) Sitzung der Vereinigung der Pathologischen Anatomen Wiens. Wien Klin Wochenschr 22:407

    Google Scholar 

  8. Duschl L (1923) Ein Beitrag zu den Pankreasmißbildungen: Fehlen des Pankreaskopfes und—schwanzes. Munch Med Wochenschr 70:1388–1389

    Google Scholar 

  9. Kriss B (1926) Zur Kenntnis der Hypoplasie des Pankreas. Virchow Arch Path 263:591–598. doi:10.1007/BF01890058

    Article  Google Scholar 

  10. Lechner GW, Read RC (1966) Agenesis of the dorsal pancreas in an adult diabetic presenting with duodenal ileus. Ann Surg 163:311–314. doi:10.1097/00000658-196602000-00024

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. Gürson CT, Tahsinoglu M, Yakacikli S, Ertugrul T (1970) A case of agenesis of the dorsal pancreas with interventricular septal defect in an infant. Helv Paediatr Acta 25:522–526

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  12. Gilinsky NH, Del Favero G, Cotton PB, Lees WR (1985) Congenital short pancreas: a report of two cases. Gut 26:304–310. doi:10.1136/gut.26.3.304

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  13. Winter WE, Maclaren NK, Riley WJ, Toskes PP, Andres J, Rosenbloom AL (1986) Congenital pancreatic hypoplasia: a syndrome of exocrine and endocrine insufficiency. J Pediatr 109:465–468. doi:10.1016/S0022-3476(86)80119-6

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  14. Bretagne JF, Darnault P, Raoul JL, Gandon Y, Gosselin M, Cousin P et al (1987) Calcifying pancreatitis of a congenital short pancreas: a case report with successful endoscopic papillotomy. Am J Gastroenterol 82:1314–1317

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  15. Lehman GA, Kopecky KK, Rogge JD (1987) Partial pancreatic agenesis combined with pancreas divisum and duodenum reflexum. Gastrointest Endosc 33:445–448

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  16. Shah KK, DeRidder PH, Schwab RE, Alexander TJ (1987) CT diagnosis of the dorsal pancreas agenesis. J Comput Assist Tomogr 11:170–171

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  17. Nishimori I, Okazaki K, Morita M, Miyao M, Sakamoto Y, Kagiyama S et al (1990) Congenital hypoplasia of the dorsal pancreas: with special reference to duodenal papillary dysfunction. Am J Gastroenterol 85:1029–1033

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  18. Wang JT, Lin JT, Chuang CN, Wang SM, Chuang LM, Chen JC et al (1990) Complete agenesis of the dorsal pancreas—a case report and review of the literature. Pancreas 5:493–497. doi:10.1097/00006676-199007000-00020

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  19. Herman TE, Siegel MJ (1991) Polysplenia syndrome with congenital short pancreas. AJR Am J Roentgenol 156:799–800

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  20. Itoh H, Saito M, Ishimori M, Ohshiro K, Guo YY, Sakai T (1991) A case report of dorsal agenesis diagnosed by MRI and ERCP. Radiat Med 9:108–109

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  21. Wildling R, Schnedl WJ, Reisinger EC, Schreiber F, Lipp RW, Lederer A et al (1993) Agenesis of the dorsal pancreas in a woman with diabetes mellitus and both of her sons. Gastroenterology 104:1182–1186

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  22. Soler R, Rodriguez E, Comesana ML, Pombo F, Marini M (1992) Agenesis of the dorsal pancreas with polysplenia syndrome: CT features. J Comput Assist Tomogr 16:921–923. doi:10.1097/00004728-199211000-00017

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  23. Gold RP (1993) Agenesis and pseudo-agenesis of the dorsal pancreas. Abdom Imaging 18:141–144

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  24. Yorifuji T, Matsumura M, Okuno T, Shimizu K, Sonomura T, Muroi J et al (1994) Hereditary pancreatic hypoplasia, diabetes mellitus, and congenital heart disease: a new syndrome? J Med Genet 31:331–333

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  25. Klein WA, Dabezies MA, Friedman AC, Caroline DF, Boden GH, Cohen S (1994) Agenesis of dorsal pancreas in a patient with weight loss and diabetes mellitus. Dig Dis Sci 39:1708–1713. doi:10.1007/BF02087781

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  26. Deignan RW, Nizzero A, Malone DE (1996) Case report: agenesis of the dorsal pancreas: a cause of diagnostic error on abdominal sonography. Clin Radiol 51:145–147. doi:10.1016/S0009-9260(96)80277-7

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  27. Macari M, Giovanniello G, Blair L, Krinsky G (1998) Diagnosis of agenesis of the dorsal pancreas with MR pancreatography. AJR Am J Roentgenol 170:144–146

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  28. Terruzzi V, Radaelli F, Spinzi GC, Imperiali G, Minoli G (1998) Congenital short pancreas. Report of a new case observed during the course of a recurrent acute pancreatitis. Ital J Gastroenterol 30:199–201

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  29. Oldenburg B, van Leeuwen MS, Henegouwen GP, Koningsberger JC (1998) Pancreatitis and agenesis of the dorsal pancreas. Eur J Gastroenterol Hepatol 10:887–889. doi:10.1097/00042737-199810000-00013

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  30. Fukuoka K, Ajiki T, Yamamoto M, Fujiwara H, Onoyama H, Fujita T et al (1999) Complete agenesis of the dorsal pancreas. J Hepatobiliary Pancreat Surg 6:94–97. doi:10.1007/s005340050090

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  31. Nakamura Y, Egami K, Maeda S, Hosone M, Onda M (2001) Solid and papillary tumor of the pancreas complicating agenesis of the dorsal pancreas. J Hepatobiliary Pancreat Surg 8:485–489. doi:10.1007/s005340100014

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  32. Nonent M, Linard J, Leveque E, Larroche P, Bobeuf J, Senecail B (2003) Dorsal pancreas agenesis: computed tomography appearance with three-dimensional volume rendering reconstruction. Surg Radiol Anat 25:161–163. doi:10.1007/s00276-003-0099-9

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  33. Guclu M, Serin E, Ulucan S, Kul K, Ozer B, Gumurdulu Y et al (2004) Agenesis of the dorsal pancreas in a patient with recurrent acute pancreatitis: case report and review. Gastrointest Endosc 60:472–475. doi:10.1016/S0016-5107(04)01733-X

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  34. Otani T, Shioiri T, Mishima H, Ishihara A, Maeshiro T, Matsuo A et al (2005) Bile duct schwannoma developed in the remnant choledochal cyst—a case associated with total agenesis of the dorsal pancreas. Dig Liver Dis 37:705–708. doi:10.1016/j.dld.2004.12.017

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  35. Ulusan S, Bal N, Kizilkilic O, Bolat F, Yildirim S, Yildirim T et al (2005) Case report: solid-pseudopapillary tumor of the pancreas associated with dorsal agenesis. Br J Radiol 78:441–443. doi:10.1259/bjr/91312352

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  36. Balakrishnan V, Narayanan VA, Siyad I, Radhakrishnan L, Nair P (2006) Agenesis of the dorsal pancreas with chronic calcific pancreatitis. Case report, review of literature and genetic basis. JOP 7:651–659.

    Google Scholar 

  37. Joo YE, Kang HC, Kim HS, Choi SK, Rew JS, Chung MY et al (2006) Agenesis if the dorsal pancreas: a case report and review of literature. Korean J Intern Med 21:236–239

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  38. Karcaaltincaba M (2006) CT differentiation of distal pancreas fat replacement and distal pancreas agenesis. Surg Radiol Anat 28:637–641. doi:10.1007/s00276-006-0151-7

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  39. Kayhan B, Özer D, Akdogan M, Tekin I, Özcay N (2006) Hypoplastic pancreas and ectopic spleen as an abdominal mass: a case report. Turk J Gastroenterol 17:216–218

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  40. Oyachi N, Ohhama Y, Take H, Fukuzato Y, Murakami T, Kitagawa N et al (2006) Aplasia of the dorsal pancreas and choledochal cyst. Pediatr Surg Int 22:557–559. doi:10.1007/s00383-006-1652-5

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  41. Rakesh K, Choung OW, Reddy DN (2006) Agenesis of the dorsal pancreas (ADP) and pancreatitis—is there an association? Indian J Gastroenterol 25:35–36

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  42. Sempere L, Aparicio JR, Martinez J, Casellas JA, de Madaria E, Perez-Mateo M (2006) Role of endoscopic ultrasound in the diagnosis of agenesis of the dorsal pancreas. JOP 7:411–416

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  43. Ulusan S, Yakar T, Koc Z, Kayaselcuk F, Torer N (2006) Adenocarcinoma of the pancreas associated with dorsal agenesis. Pancreas 33:437–439. doi:10.1097/01.mpa.0000236728.23994.27

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  44. Lingareddy S, Tandan M, Rao GV, Nageshwar V, Reddy D (2006) Hepatobiliary and pancreatic: agenesis of the dorsal pancreas. J Gastroenterol Hepatol 21:773. doi:10.1111/j.1440-1746.2006.04436.x

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  45. Lingareddy S, Duvvuru NR, Guduru VR, Lakhtakia S, Kalapala R (2007) Dorsal agenesis of pancreas: CT and ERCP. Gastrointest Endosc 65:157–158. doi:10.1016/j.gie.2006.08.007

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  46. Du J, Xu G, Xu P, Jin E, Liu Q, Li Y (2007) Congenital short pancreas. Chin Med J 120:259–262

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  47. Kapa S, Gleeson FC, Vege SS (2007) Dorsal pancreas agenesis and polysplenia/heterotaxy syndrome: a novel association with aortic coarctation and a review of literature. JOP 8:433–437

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  48. Maier M, Wiesner W, Mengiardi B (2007) Annular pancreas and agenesis of the dorsal pancreas in a patient with polysplenia syndrome. AJR Am J Roentgenol 188:W150–W153. doi:10.2214/AJR.05.1859

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  49. Uygur-Bayramicli O, Dabak R, Kilicoglu G, Dolapcioglu C, Oztas D (2007) Dorsal pancreatic agenesis. JOP 8:450–452

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  50. Doxey BW, Jackson WD, Adler DG (2007) A unique presentation: dorsal agenesis of the pancreas manifesting as pancreatic exocrine insufficiency in the absence of diabetes mellitus in an 8-year-old boy. Dig Dis Sci

  51. Wallace MB (2007) Imaging the pancreas: into the deep. Gastroenterology 132:484–487. doi:10.1053/j.gastro.2007.01.018

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  52. Harrison KA, Thaler J, Pfaff SL, Gu H, Kehrl JH (1999) Pancreas dorsal lobe agenesis and abnormal islets of Langerhans in Hlxb9-deficient mice. Nat Genet 23:71–75

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  53. Haumaitre C, Fabre M, Cormier S, Baumann C, Delezoide AL, Cereghini S (2006) Severe pancreas hypoplasia and multicystic renal dysplasia in two human fetuses carrying novel HNF1beta/MODY5 mutations. Hum Mol Genet 15:2363–2375. doi:10.1093/hmg/ddl161

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  54. Stingl H, Schnedl WJ, Krssak M, Bernroider E, Bischof MG, Lahousen T et al (2002) Reduction of hepatic glycogen synthesis and breakdown in patients with agenesis of the dorsal pancreas. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 87:4678–4685. doi:10.1210/jc.2002-020036

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  55. Kamisawa T, Tu Y, Egawa N, Ishiwata J, Okamoto A (1999) Hypoplasia of ventral pancreas shows a threadlike pancreatic duct. Pancreas 18:214–215. doi:10.1097/00006676-199903000-00015

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  56. Rahier J, Goebbels RM, Henquin JC (1983) Cellular composition of the human diabetic pancreas. Diabetologia 24:366–371. doi:10.1007/BF00251826

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  57. Wittingen J, Frey CF (1974) Islet concentration in the head, body, tail and uncinate process of the pancreas. Ann Surg 179:412–414. doi:10.1097/00000658-197404000-00005

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  58. Slezak LA, Andersen DK (2001) Pancreatic resection: effects on glucose metabolism. World J Surg 25:452–460. doi:10.1007/s002680020337

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  59. Hohmeier HE, Newgard CB (2004) Cell lines derived from pancreatic islets. Mol Cell Endocrinol 228:121–128. doi:10.1016/j.mce.2004.04.017

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  60. Bonner-Weir S, Weir GC (2005) New sources of pancreatic β-cells. Nat Biotechnol 23:857–861. doi:10.1038/nbt1115

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  61. Del Guerra S, Grupillo M, Masini M, Lupi R, Bugliani M, Torri S et al (2007) Gliclazide protects human islet beta-cells from apoptosis induced by intermittent high glucose. Diabetes Metab Res Rev 23:234–238. doi:10.1002/dmrr.680

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  62. Yi SQ, Tanaka S, Tanaka A, Shimokawa T, Ru F, Nakatani T (2004) An extremely rare inversion of the preduodenal portal vein and common bile duct associated with multiple malformations. Anat Embryol (Berl) 208:87–96. doi:10.1007/s00429-003-0377-7

    Article  Google Scholar 

  63. Zissin R, Rathaus V, Oscadchy A, Kots E, Gayer G, Shapiro-Feinberg M (1999) Intestinal malrotation as an incidental finding on CT in adults. Abdom Imaging 24:550–555. doi:10.1007/s002619900560

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  64. Gayer G, Apter S, Jonas T, Amitai M, Zissin R, Sella T et al (1999) Polysplenia syndrome detected in adulthood: report of eight cases and review of the literature. Abdom Imaging 24:178–184. doi:10.1007/s002619900471

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  65. Deveci MS, Deveci G (2000) Biliary atresia splenic malformation syndrome—is it a result of embryonically midline rotational defects? A case report. J Pediatr Surg 35:1377–1380. doi:10.1053/jpsu.2000.9344

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  66. Takeshi I, Naoya S, Yasuaki H, Yosuke H, Takushi N, Hiroki Y et al (2001) Synchronous double cancer of the stomach and rectum with situs inversus totalis and polysplenia syndrome. J Clin Gastroenterol 33:148–153. doi:10.1097/00004836-200108000-00012

    Article  Google Scholar 

  67. Plata-Munoz JJ, Hernandez-Ramirez D, Anthon FJ, Podgaetz E, Avila-Florez F, Chan C (2004) Polysplenia syndrome in the adult patient. Case report with review of the literature. Ann Hepatol 3:114–117

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  68. Schnedl WJ, Reisinger EC, Schreiber F, Pieber TR, Lipp RW, Krejs GJ (1995) Complete and partial agenesis of the dorsal pancreas within one family. Gastrointest Endosc 42:485–487. doi:10.1016/S0016-5107(95)70055-2

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  69. Saisho Y, Butler AE, Meier JJ, Monchamp T, Allen-Auerbach M, Rizza RA et al (2007) Pancreas volumes in humans from birth to age one hundred taking into account sex, obesity, and presence of type-2 diabetes. Clin Anat 20:933–942. doi:10.1002/ca.20543

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Internal Medicine, Medical University, Auenbruggerplatz 15, A-8036, Graz, Austria

    Wolfgang J. Schnedl, Claudia Piswanger-Soelkner, Robert Krause & Rainer W. Lipp

  2. Practice for General Internal Medicine, Hauptstrasse 5, A-8940, Liezen, Austria

    Wolfgang J. Schnedl

  3. Institute of Pathophysiology, Center for Molecular Medicine, Heinrichstrasse 31a, A-8010, Graz, Austria

    Sandra J. Wallner

  4. Diagnostikum Sued-West, Weblinger Guertel 25, A-8054, Graz, Austria

    Pia Reittner

  5. Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism, and Nutrition, Department of Medicine, Duke University Medical Center Durham 3813, Durham, NC, 27710, USA

    Hans E. Hohmeier

Authors
  1. Wolfgang J. Schnedl
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Claudia Piswanger-Soelkner
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Sandra J. Wallner
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Pia Reittner
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Robert Krause
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Rainer W. Lipp
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. Hans E. Hohmeier
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Wolfgang J. Schnedl.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Schnedl, W.J., Piswanger-Soelkner, C., Wallner, S.J. et al. Agenesis of the Dorsal Pancreas and Associated Diseases. Dig Dis Sci 54, 481–487 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10620-008-0370-3

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10620-008-0370-3

Keywords

Search

Navigation