[Pancreas duct stenosis of unknown origin].
METHODS
A 38-year old man presented himself for further clarification of a previously discovered circumscribed stenosis of the pancreatic duct. He had experienced several episodes of pancreatitis characterized by abdominal pain and increased lipase values.


METHODS
The endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography demonstrated a "double duct" sign with corresponding stenosis of the bile and pancreatic ducts. No space-occupying mass was identified. There was no evidence of chronic pancreatitis.


METHODS
Post-inflammatory stenosis of the pancreatic duct was suspected. As the patient requested definitive diagnosis Whipple's operation was performed. It confirmed that the changes were benign. Histologic examination revealed changes of an autoimmune pancreatitis.


CONCLUSIONS
Circumscribed changes in the pancreatic duct, especially in young patients, should be clarified with all modern invasive and noninvasive modes of investigation to exclude with certainty a malignancy and avoid unnecessary resection.
Schorr
F
F
Medizinische Klinik C, Klinikum Ludwigshafen gGmbH, Germany. schorrf@klilu.de
Riemann
J F
JF
D000328:Adult; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*; D002760:Cholangiopancreatography, Endoscopic Retrograde / Q000379:methods*; D003251:Constriction, Pathologic; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010183:Pancreatic Ducts / Q000473:pathology*; D010195:Pancreatitis / Q000175:diagnosis; D050500:Pancreatitis, Chronic / Q000175:diagnosis