Abstract

The two most common causes of acute pancreatitis are alcohol and cholelithiasis. Acute recurrent pancreatitis can result from a variety of abnormalities involving the terminal end of the distal choledochus, pancreatic duct, ampulla of Vater and the major duodenal papilla, which in turn may include a papillary stenosis, periampullary neoplasm, choledochocele, sphincter of Oddi dysfunction, and pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. Recently a case of recurrent acute pancreatitis associated with aberrant cystic duet insertion at the ampulla of Vater was experienced. Biliary-pancreatic reflux was speculated to be the mechanism responsible for causing this anomalous, recurrent, acute pancreatitis. Another case of acute pancreatitis associated with aberrant cystic duct insertion at the ampulla of Vater was also experienced in a 29-year-old man, 1Jnlike the previous report, our case showed cholestatic features on the initial blood chemistry. An endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancre-atography performed after recovry revealed only aberrant cystic duct insertion at the ampulla of Vater. This anomaly also seems to have played a role in causing acute pancreatitis in this patient. This interesting case is herein reported with a review of the relevant literature. (Korean J Gastrointest Endosc 2000;20:496-498)

• Keywords: Cystic duct insertion, Ampulla of' Vater, Acute pancreatitis, Low junction