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Dorsal pancreas agenesis: computed tomography appearance with three-dimensional volume rendering reconstruction

  • Anatomic Variations
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Abstract

We report a case of a very rare congenital variant consisting in a dorsal (or left) pancreas agenesis due to the lack of development of the dorsal embryonic bud of the gland. This variant is characterized using helical computed tomography (CT). Three-dimensional (3D) computed tomography reconstruction, especially using the volume rendering technique, is very helpful for assessing this entity, which it is important to recognize due to its potential clinical implication (diabetes mellitus). Associated variants of abdominal vessels were also clearly seen in our patient with this technique, including a hepatomesenteric trunk and left retro-aortic renal vein.

Résumé

Nous rapportons un cas de variation anatomique congénitale très rare qui consiste en une agénésie du pancréas dorsal (ou gauche) résultant de l'absence de développement de l'ébauche embryonnaire dorsale de la glande et qui a été mise en évidence par la scanographie. Les reconstructions tri-dimensionnelles, et plus spécialement celles utilisant la technique de rendu volumique (Volume Rendering Technique), s'avèrent très utiles pour affirmer cette anomalie dont la connaissance est importante compte tenu de ses possibles implications cliniques (diabète sucré). Cette technique a également mis en évidence des variations associées des vaisseaux abdominaux telles qu'un tronc artériel hépato-mésentérique et un trajet rétro-aortique de la veine rénale gauche.

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Acknowledgements

We thank Jean Catineau, M.D., for helping us in the preparation of the manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Radiology and Medical Imaging, University Hospital Center, La Cavale Blanche Hospital, 29609, Brest, France

    M. Nonent, J. Linard, E. Lévèque, P. Larroche, J. Bobeuf & B. Sénécail

  2. Service de Radiologie et Imagerie médicale, Hôpital de la Cavale Blanche, CHU, Boulevard Tanguy Prigent, 29609, Brest cedex, France

    M. Nonent

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  1. M. Nonent
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  2. J. Linard
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  3. E. Lévèque
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  4. P. Larroche
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  5. J. Bobeuf
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  6. B. Sénécail
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Correspondence to M. Nonent.

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Nonent, M., Linard, J., Lévèque, E. et al. Dorsal pancreas agenesis: computed tomography appearance with three-dimensional volume rendering reconstruction. Surg Radiol Anat 25, 161–163 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00276-003-0099-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00276-003-0099-9

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