BACK TOTOP Browse A-ZSearchBrowse A-ZABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ0-9 E-mail FormEmail ResultsName:Email address:Recipients Name:Recipients address:Message: Print-FriendlyBookmarksbookmarks-menuAnnular pancreasAn annular pancreas is a ring of pancreatic tissue that encircles the duodenum (the first part of the small intestine). The normal position of the pancreas is next to, but not surrounding the duodenum.DuodenumThe duodenum is the first part of the small intestine. It is located between the stomach and the middle part of the small intestine, or jejunum. Aft...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Causes Annular pancreas is problem present at birth (congenital defect). Symptoms occur when the ring of pancreas squeezes and narrows the small intestine so that food cannot pass easily or at all.Newborns may have symptoms of complete blockage of the intestine. However, up to one half of people with this condition do not have symptoms until adulthood. There are also cases that are not detected because the symptoms are mild.Conditions that may be associated with annular pancreas include:Down syndrome Excess amniotic fluid during pregnancy (polyhydramnios) (polyhydramnios)Polyhydramnios occurs when too much amniotic fluid builds up during pregnancy. It is also called amniotic fluid disorder, or hydramnios.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Other congenital gastrointestinal problems Pancreatitis Symptoms Newborns may not feed well. They may spit up more than normal, not drink enough breast milk or formula, and cry.Adult symptoms may include:Fullness after eating Nausea or vomitingNausea or vomitingNausea is feeling an urge to vomit. It is often called "being sick to your stomach. "Vomiting or throwing-up forces the contents of the stomach up t...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Exams and Tests Tests include:Abdominal ultrasound Abdominal ultrasoundAbdominal ultrasound is a type of imaging test. It is used to look at organs in the abdomen, including the liver, gallbladder, spleen, pancreas, and...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Abdominal x-ray Abdominal x-rayAn abdominal x-ray is an imaging test to look at organs and structures in the abdomen. Organs include the liver, spleen, stomach, and intestines. Wh...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article CT scan Upper GI and small bowel seriesUpper GI and small bowel seriesAn upper GI and small bowel series is a set of x-rays taken to examine the esophagus, stomach, and small intestine. Barium enema is a related test th...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Treatment Treatment most often involves surgery to bypass the blocked part of the duodenum. Outlook (Prognosis) The outcome is most often good with surgery. Adults with an annular pancreas are at increased risk for pancreatic or biliary tract cancer. Possible Complications Complications may include:Obstructive jaundice Pancreatic cancer Pancreatic cancerPancreatic cancer is cancer that starts in the pancreas.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas) Peptic ulcer Perforation (tearing a hole) of the intestine due to obstruction PeritonitisPeritonitisPeritonitis is an inflammation (irritation) of the peritoneum. This is the thin tissue that lines the inner wall of the abdomen and covers most of t...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article When to Contact a Medical Professional Contact your health care provider if you or your child has any symptoms of annular pancreas.Open ReferencesReferencesMaqbool A, Bales C, Liacouras CA. Intestinal atresia, stenosis, and malrotation. In: Kliegman RM, St. Geme JW, Blum NJ, Shah SS, Tasker RC, Wilson KM, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 21st ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 356.Mehta MS, Barth BA, Husain SZ. Anatomy, histology, embryology, and developmental anomalies of the pancreas. In: Feldman M, Friedman LS, Brandt LJ, eds. Sleisenger and Fordtran's Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease: Pathophysiology/Diagnosis/Management. 11th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 55.Semrin MG. Anatomy, histology, and developmental anomalies of the stomach and duodenum. In: Feldman M, Friedman LS, Brandt LJ, eds. Sleisenger and Fordtran's Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease: Pathophysiology/Diagnosis/Management. 11th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 49.AllVideoImagesTogDigestive system - illustration The esophagus, stomach, large and small intestine, aided by the liver, gallbladder and pancreas convert the nutritive components of food into energy and break down the non-nutritive components into waste to be excreted.Digestive systemillustrationEndocrine glands - illustration Endocrine glands release hormones (chemical messengers) into the bloodstream to be transported to various organs and tissues throughout the body. For instance, the pancreas secretes insulin, which allows the body to regulate levels of sugar in the blood. The thyroid gets instructions from the pituitary to secrete hormones which determine the rate of metabolism in the body (the more hormone in the bloodstream, the faster the chemical activity; the less hormone, the slower the activity).Endocrine glandsillustrationAnnular pancreas - illustration Annular pancreas is an abnormal ring or collar of pancreatic tissue that encircles the duodenum (the part of the small intestine that connects to stomach). This portion of pancreas can constrict the duodenum and block or impair the flow of food to the rest of the intestines. Symptoms from annular pancreas are nausea, vomiting, feeling of fullness after eating, and feeding problems in newborns. Surgical bypass of the obstructing segment of the duodenum is the usual treatment for this disorder.Annular pancreasillustrationDigestive system - illustration The esophagus, stomach, large and small intestine, aided by the liver, gallbladder and pancreas convert the nutritive components of food into energy and break down the non-nutritive components into waste to be excreted.Digestive systemillustrationEndocrine glands - illustration Endocrine glands release hormones (chemical messengers) into the bloodstream to be transported to various organs and tissues throughout the body. For instance, the pancreas secretes insulin, which allows the body to regulate levels of sugar in the blood. The thyroid gets instructions from the pituitary to secrete hormones which determine the rate of metabolism in the body (the more hormone in the bloodstream, the faster the chemical activity; the less hormone, the slower the activity).Endocrine glandsillustrationAnnular pancreas - illustration Annular pancreas is an abnormal ring or collar of pancreatic tissue that encircles the duodenum (the part of the small intestine that connects to stomach). This portion of pancreas can constrict the duodenum and block or impair the flow of food to the rest of the intestines. Symptoms from annular pancreas are nausea, vomiting, feeling of fullness after eating, and feeding problems in newborns. Surgical bypass of the obstructing segment of the duodenum is the usual treatment for this disorder.Annular pancreasillustrationRelated Information Duodenum(Special Topic)Incidence(Special Topic)Peptic ulcer(Condition)Peritonitis(Condition)Peptic ulcers - InDepth(In-Depth) Review Date: 10/26/2021 Reviewed By: Michael M. Phillips, MD, Emeritus Professor of Medicine, The George Washington University School of Medicine, Washington, DC. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team. The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. 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Annular pancreasAn annular pancreas is a ring of pancreatic tissue that encircles the duodenum (the first part of the small intestine). The normal position of the pancreas is next to, but not surrounding the duodenum.DuodenumThe duodenum is the first part of the small intestine. It is located between the stomach and the middle part of the small intestine, or jejunum. Aft...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Causes Annular pancreas is problem present at birth (congenital defect). Symptoms occur when the ring of pancreas squeezes and narrows the small intestine so that food cannot pass easily or at all.Newborns may have symptoms of complete blockage of the intestine. However, up to one half of people with this condition do not have symptoms until adulthood. There are also cases that are not detected because the symptoms are mild.Conditions that may be associated with annular pancreas include:Down syndrome Excess amniotic fluid during pregnancy (polyhydramnios) (polyhydramnios)Polyhydramnios occurs when too much amniotic fluid builds up during pregnancy. It is also called amniotic fluid disorder, or hydramnios.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Other congenital gastrointestinal problems Pancreatitis Symptoms Newborns may not feed well. They may spit up more than normal, not drink enough breast milk or formula, and cry.Adult symptoms may include:Fullness after eating Nausea or vomitingNausea or vomitingNausea is feeling an urge to vomit. It is often called "being sick to your stomach. "Vomiting or throwing-up forces the contents of the stomach up t...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Exams and Tests Tests include:Abdominal ultrasound Abdominal ultrasoundAbdominal ultrasound is a type of imaging test. It is used to look at organs in the abdomen, including the liver, gallbladder, spleen, pancreas, and...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Abdominal x-ray Abdominal x-rayAn abdominal x-ray is an imaging test to look at organs and structures in the abdomen. Organs include the liver, spleen, stomach, and intestines. Wh...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article CT scan Upper GI and small bowel seriesUpper GI and small bowel seriesAn upper GI and small bowel series is a set of x-rays taken to examine the esophagus, stomach, and small intestine. Barium enema is a related test th...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Treatment Treatment most often involves surgery to bypass the blocked part of the duodenum. Outlook (Prognosis) The outcome is most often good with surgery. Adults with an annular pancreas are at increased risk for pancreatic or biliary tract cancer. Possible Complications Complications may include:Obstructive jaundice Pancreatic cancer Pancreatic cancerPancreatic cancer is cancer that starts in the pancreas.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas) Peptic ulcer Perforation (tearing a hole) of the intestine due to obstruction PeritonitisPeritonitisPeritonitis is an inflammation (irritation) of the peritoneum. This is the thin tissue that lines the inner wall of the abdomen and covers most of t...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article When to Contact a Medical Professional Contact your health care provider if you or your child has any symptoms of annular pancreas.Open ReferencesReferencesMaqbool A, Bales C, Liacouras CA. Intestinal atresia, stenosis, and malrotation. In: Kliegman RM, St. Geme JW, Blum NJ, Shah SS, Tasker RC, Wilson KM, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 21st ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 356.Mehta MS, Barth BA, Husain SZ. Anatomy, histology, embryology, and developmental anomalies of the pancreas. In: Feldman M, Friedman LS, Brandt LJ, eds. Sleisenger and Fordtran's Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease: Pathophysiology/Diagnosis/Management. 11th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 55.Semrin MG. Anatomy, histology, and developmental anomalies of the stomach and duodenum. In: Feldman M, Friedman LS, Brandt LJ, eds. Sleisenger and Fordtran's Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease: Pathophysiology/Diagnosis/Management. 11th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 49.