annular pancreas
Congenital malformation where pancreatic tissue forms a ring around the duodenum, potentially causing obstruction.
Full Definition
Annular pancreas is a rare congenital anomaly in which pancreatic tissue encircles the second portion of the duodenum, forming a complete or incomplete ring. This condition occurs due to abnormal rotation of the ventral pancreatic bud during embryonic development. The encircling pancreatic tissue can cause duodenal obstruction, leading to symptoms such as vomiting, feeding difficulties, and failure to thrive in infants. Diagnosis is typically made through imaging studies, and treatment may require surgical intervention to bypass the obstruction.
Usage
Usage note: Always lowercase unless beginning a sentence; often abbreviated as AP in clinical notes.
In Context
- "The CT scan revealed an annular pancreas as the cause of the patient's duodenal obstruction." — Radiology report
- "Surgical correction of annular pancreas was performed via duodenoduodenostomy." — Operative note