Ectopic papilla of Vater in duodenum bulb: A hospital-based study

The major papilla of Vater can be ectopically present in the stomach, pyloric canal, duodenal bulb, and third or fourth portion of the duodenum. In this study, we determined the clinical significance of ectopic papilla of Vater by endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatogram (ERCP). A retrospective study was conducted by reviewing the medical records of 6133 patients receiving ERCP from 1988 to 2011. The diagnosis was confirmed if both the common bile duct (CBD) and the main pancreatic duct (PD) drained into the same opening, either by ERCP or magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography. Eight patients with major papilla of Vater in the duodenal bulb were identified among 6133 patients receiving ERCP from 1988 to 2011, with an incidence rate of 0.13%. The mean age was 67 years and patients were predominantly male. Duodenal bulb deformity was noted in all patients and three of them had shallow gastric and/or duodenal ulcers. Hook-shaped CBD configuration was seen only in half of our cases. Three patients with CBD stones were treated successfully after endoscopic sphincterotomy or papillary balloon dilation. Ectopic orifice of papilla is a rare finding of ERCP. Opacification of both the CBD and main PD from the same opening is an essential criterion for diagnosing an ectopic papilla of Vater in the duodenal bulb.