Heterotaxy syndrome with agenesis of dorsal pancreas and diabetes mellitus: case report and review of the literature

Agenesis of the Dorsal Pancreas: A Rare Cause of Diabetes and Recurrent Upper Abdominal Pain

Agenesis of the dorsal pancreas is a rare congenital disorder with only a handful of cases described in the literature. It presents a diagnostic dilemma. Cross-sectional imaging is the cornerstone for diagnosis. It could have a syndromic association with polysplenia and cardiac anomalies. Pancreas divisum and chronic pancreatitis may present with similar symptoms and must be ruled out. We present a case of a 55-year-old male with recurrent non-specific abdominal pain and diabetes mellitus. He was managed with insulin and painkillers for symptomatic relief. We also reviewed approximately 68 cases described in the literature to date.

Agenesis of the dorsal pancreas presenting with diabetic ketoacidosis - a case report and literature review

BACKGROUND

Agenesis of the dorsal pancreas (ADP) is clinically rare, and it is usually accompanied by abdominal pain. Various disorders of glucose metabolism associating with ADP have been reported, but there are only two studies reporting a correlation between ADP and DKA in English literature.

CASE PRESENTATION

We present a case of a patient with ADP accompanied by abdominal pain and diabetic ketoacidosis as the initial clinical presentation. A 30-year-old man presented with a 3-month history of recurrent onset of persistent mild epigastric pain, which worsen when eating. Laboratory tests revealed metabolic acidosis, hyperglycemia, and ketonuria. Phase contrast CT and MRCP showed the absence of the body and tail of the pancreas, as well as the dorsal pancreatic duct. The C-peptide release test indicated β-cell dysfunction. A combination therapy of insulin, pancreatic enzyme supplements, and mosapride citrate were administrated and the pain gradually resolved.

CONCLUSIONS

As glucose metabolism disorders can vary across different individuals, we advise clinicians to consider the diagnosis of ADP for a patient who presents with a glucose metabolism disorder accompanied by abdominal pain, pancreatitis or steatorrhea.