The prevalence of circumportal pancreas as shown by multidetector-row computed tomography

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the prevalence of circumportal pancreas (CP) and any coexisting anomaly. In addition, three cases of surgically confirmed CP are presented. METHODS: The study group consisted of 317 consecutive potential liver transplant donor candidates who had undergone thin-section MDCT studies for the evaluation of vascular anatomy. MDCT images were retrospectively reviewed to assess the presence or absence of CP. If CP was present, the transverse diameter of the aberrant pancreatic tissue was measured on axial images, and the course of the main pancreatic duct (MPD) was classified into ante-portal (normal) or retro-portal. In addition, the prevalence of variant hepatic arterial anatomy was compared between cases with and without CP. RESULTS: Eight of 317 liver transplant donor candidates (2.5%) were found to have CP at CT. The transverse diameter of the aberrant pancreatic tissue ranged from 5 to 18 mm (mean ± SD: 10 ± 4 mm). One of eight (12.5%) showed the MPD to be retro-portal. A variant hepatic artery was noted in two of the of eight (25%) patients, which was similar to the finding for those without CP [72 out of 309 (23%)]. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of circumportal pancreas was 2.5%.