Delayed presentation of duodenal diaphragm and annular pancreas in a 10-year-old girl: Case report

Abstract

Congenital duodenal obstruction is a common cause of bowel obstruction. It is relatively easy to diagnose in the neonatal period. However, if the obstruction is due to a duodenal diaphragm, diagnosis may be delayed until later in infancy or even adulthood, depending on the size of the aperture in the diaphragm. Congenital duodenal obstruction may be associated with other gastrointestinal and biliary anomalies. The association of a duodenal diaphragm and a partial annular pancreas is a rare clinical entity. We present an unusual case of late presentation of duodenal diaphragm with partial annular pancreas in a 10-year-old girl with a 3-month history of abdominal distension and vomiting. The plain abdominal X-ray showed the classic picture of a double bubble. The CT images showed narrowing of the third duodenal portion and dilatation of the stomach and duodenum. The pancreatic tissue incompletely surrounded the second part of the duodenum. Intraoperatively, both the duodenal diaphragm and the partial annular pancreas were confirmed. Excision of the diaphragm and duodenoplasty were performed. A duodenal diaphragm should be suspected in patients with a history of abdominal distension and vomiting, even in late childhood. Associated gastrointestinal and biliary anomalies should always be excluded.