Symptomatic pancreatic duct stones in the disconnected bile duct: A case series

Abstract

Background: Pancreaticobiliary maljunction (PBM) refers to the union of the pancreatic and biliary ducts outside of the duodenal wall. Patients are at increased risk of bile duct and gallbladder cancer, likely secondary to pancreatic juice refluxing into the biliary tree, and it is recommended that they undergo biliary diversion.

Methods: This is a case series of all patients in our institution with PBM and bilioenteric anastomosis who presented with symptomatic pancreatic duct stones in a disconnected bile duct. IRB approval was obtained prior to the initiation of the study.

Results: We describe eight cases of this finding. All patients underwent ERCP, with stones successfully removed from the disconnected bile duct in seven patients and from the pancreatic duct in one patient.

Conclusion: This novel finding has not been described in the medical literature, and may become more prevalent as more patients with PBM undergo bilioenteric anastomosis.

Keywords: Chronic pancreatitis; Pancreatic stones; Pancreaticobiliary maljunction.