Drainage area of the head of the pancreas by computed tomography under endoscopic retrograde pancreatography (ERP-CT).

BACKGROUND/AIMS: This study evaluated the drainage area of the capitular branches of the pancreas head by computed tomography under endoscopic retrograde pancreatography (ERP-CT). METHODOLOGY: ERP-CT was performed in 43 patients. The drainage area of the capitular branches of Wirsung's and Santorini's ducts were evaluated by dividing the pancreatic head into two areas, the anterior area and the posterior area. RESULTS: The pancreatic duct pattern was classified in 4 types; normal type, ansa type, loop type, and embryonic type. In normal type duct pattern, all inferior capitular branches of Wirsung's duct drained the posterior area and all inferior capitular branches of Santorini's duct drained the anterior area. In ansa type duct pattern, all inferior branches from Wirsung's duct drained the posterior area and inferior branches from Santorini's duct drained the anterior area and the posterior area. In loop type duct pattern, all inferior branches from Santorini's duct drained the posterior area and inferior branches from Wirsung's duct drained the anterior area and the posterior area. Middle capitular branches were detected only in normal B, normal C, and loop type. CONCLUSIONS: ERP-CT is a useful procedure that provided three-dimensional morphology of the capitular branch of the pancreas head.