Duodenal obstruction due to annular pancreas during the neonatal period

Abstract

Introduction. Annular pancreas is an infrequent birth defect characterized by a ring of pancreatic tissue that surrounds the descending part of the duodenum. It accounts for 1 % of neonatal intestinal obstructions worldwide. Diagnosis and final treatment is surgical. The objective is to describe a neonatal clinical case with annual pancreas based on a brief literature review on its diagnosis, evolution and treatment. Case Report. Female patient, 24 days old with emetic episodes starting on the second day of life, associated with loss of weight and hydroelectrolytic instability, who was admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit for management purposes. Given the persistence of the gastrointestinal symptoms and hemodynamic instability, despite the treatment in place, and high level of suspicion of intestinal obstruction, radiology exam of upper digestive tract was performed with contrast medium, finding evidence of signs of duodenal stenosis. Laparotomy was performed, finding evidence of dilation of the second and third parts of the duodenum, thickened walls, crossed by a pancreas segment that fully occludes the light, consistent with annual pancreas. Discussion. Take the above into consideration during differential diagnoses of duodenal obstructions, given that the patient’s symptoms, as evidenced in the patient, change depending on the type of obstruction. Imaging methods must be requested to assess radiological signs, in order to clarify the diagnosis and prevent delays in the final diagnosis of annual pancreas, which is performed by means of surgical intervention. Conclusions. Annual pancreas continues to be a diagnostic challenge due to its infrequency. People suffering from this, experience variable and non-specific symptoms; more frequently vomiting, which, in this specific case, was the initial symptom. It is important to learn about the obstructive duodenal pathology, because it is one of the differential diagnoses, and thereby prevents delays in the surgical and diagnostic approach.