What Is Pancreas Divisum?

Medically Reviewed by Dan Brennan, MD on February 16, 2024
3 min read

Pancreas divisum is the result of an abnormality in the structure of the pancreas, an organ near the stomach that aids with digestion and regulates blood sugar. Typically, most people who have this do not have symptoms. It’s rare that diagnosis and treatment are necessary.

During fetal development, the pancreas starts off with two ducts: the ventral duct and the dorsal duct. Before birth, they will typically merge to create a single main pancreatic duct. Pancreatic divisum is what happens when they don’t. The result is that the central pancreatic duct drains through a smaller hole. The irregularity in the duct formation may cause health problems later in life, such as acute pancreatitis.

Yes, pancreas divisum is hereditary. It’s a congenital condition. It is present at birth for an estimated 10% of people. It's rare that pancreas divisum has symptoms, and even rarer that diagnosis or treatment is necessary.

Although there are often no complications caused by pancreas divisum, it can sometimes lead to acute pancreatitis. Acute pancreatitis can then lead to kidney failure, which can result in death if not treated effectively.

Pancreatitis is the inflammation of the pancreas, which can happen when the digestive enzymes in the pancreas become inadvertently activated. It can occur in a short, intense, acute version or a long, mild, drawn-out version. Milder cases of pancreatitis can be cured by changes in diet, prescribed antibiotics and/or pain medication, and other light treatments. Severe cases can require surgery and other invasive medical procedures. 

Again, symptoms are very rare. However, if you have symptoms, they might include:

Your doctor may want to perform the following diagnostic tests if you are having symptoms:

  • Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP). This is a special type of MRI test that uses a magnetic field and radio waves to take pictures of your pancreas. It's free of ionizing radiation. This is the most common form of testing for pancreas divisum.
  • Computed tomography (CT scan). This is a test that uses a combination of X-rays and computers to produce images of the bones, muscles, fat, organs, and blood vessels within your body. They're more in-depth than regular X-rays.
  • Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). This testing technique utilizes magnetic fields and radio fields to create images of your organs and tissues. In these tests, you typically lie in large tubular magnet machines. These machines realign the water molecules in your body, and then use radio waves to create cross-sectional images of your body. 

Unless you have symptoms, pancreas divisum does not require treatment. However, if you have symptoms, you can discuss different treatment options with your doctor. The treatment is typically endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) with minor papilla sphincterotomy. 

An ERCP is performed using an endoscope that will help your doctor place a stent into a pancreatic duct called the minor papilla. 

However, this procedure is quite risky and can often lead to pancreatitis, kidney failure, and then death. Doctors may instead recommend the Puestow or Frey's procedure. These procedures involve draining an enlarged pancreatic duct. 

The best way to prevent pancreas divisum from impacting your health is simply to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Be sure to go to the doctor if you feel any of the symptoms listed above. Make sure your doctor does the appropriate testing on you and follow the treatment program your doctor prescribes. 

The only time pancreas divisum can cause health problems like kidney failure is when you have symptomatic pancreas divisum. Again, most people will never even feel or know that they have pancreas divisum, and their health will not be affected.