Annular pancreas causing duodenal obstruction in a 23 year old women managed surgically for gastrojejunostomy; a case report

Introduction: Annular pancreas is an uncommon congenital abnormality characterized by a ring of pancreatic tissue around the duodenum descending part. It is exceptionally rare in adults and is increasingly detected after the investigation of symptoms caused by its consequences, which include recurrent pancreatitis, duodenal stenosis at the site of the annulus, or duodenal or gastric ulcers. In this study, we present a case report of symptomatic annular pancreas in an adult patient.

Presentation of case: A 23-year-old woman hospitalized for epigastric pain and recurrent vomiting. Radiological examination was consistent with an annular pancreas. At operation, a partial obstruction of the second part of the duodenum was found, caused by an annular pancreas. No other congenital anomaly of the intra-abdominal organs was noted. A gastrojejunostomy was performed and she was discharged after 8 days with good recovery.

Conclusion: Because annular pancreas in adults is a rare clinical scenario, it should be included in the differential diagnosis of adult patients with gastrointestinal obstructive symptoms for a prolonged period of time, given that surgical intervention has a reliable outcome.