Annular pancreas: Beneath the intestinal obstruction—A case report

Annular pancreas is an uncommon congenital anomaly which is a rare cause of congenital duodenal obstruction. It is normally identified during the neonatal period, but may also be identified in adolescence or adulthood. This diagnosis is often overlooked in adult patients who present with symptoms suggestive of duodenal obstruction. We present a case of AP detected in a 23-year-old man, with complaints of continuous vomiting and abdominal discomfort over the last 6 months. An upper gastrointestinal study revealed a constricted second part of the duodenum. A computed tomography scan revealed a complete ring of pancreatic tissue around the second part of the duodenum. Diagnostic and therapeutic surgery decompresses the external obstruction. The patient had an early post-operative activation. No specific guidelines and protocols exist about the management of such cases. Given the rarity of this congenital anomaly, presenting with chronic partial duodenal obstruction, and its successful surgical treatment, have prompted us to report the case along with a brief review of literature about the subject.