Pancreatic duct irregularity

Abnormal contour, caliber, or course of the main or branch pancreatic ducts on imaging, including focal or diffuse narrowing, dilatation, tortuosity, or distortion, reflecting structural disruption or obstruction of the pancreatic ductal system.

Causes

• Post-inflammatory ductal fibrosis and remodeling

  • Chronic pancreatitis

  • Autoimmune pancreatitis

  • Recurrent acute pancreatitis

• Obstructive causes

  • Pancreatic duct strictures

  • Pancreatic duct stones

  • Pancreatic calcifications

  • Mucus plugs within pancreatic ducts

  • Sphincter of Oddi dysfunction

• Neoplastic causes

  • Pancreatic adenocarcinoma

  • Intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm (IPMN)

  • Cystic pancreatic tumors

• Congenital and anatomical causes

  • Pancreas divisum

  • Congenital pancreatic duct anomalies

• Cystic and fluid-related causes

  • Pancreatic pseudocysts

  • Pancreatic cystic lesions causing duct compression or communication

• Postsurgical and traumatic causes

  • Pancreatic surgery

  • Pancreatic duct injury

  • Pancreatic duct disruption or leakage

  • Postoperative ductal strictures

  • Abdominal trauma involving the pancreas

• Age-related ductal changes