Pancreatic imaging: pancreas divisum: practice question

A Radiology question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

Try it

Radiology · Pancreatic imaging: pancreas divisum

Sample item

A young woman with recurrent acute pancreatitis and no gallstones has MRCP (secretin enhanced) showing the dorsal duct draining separately into the minor papilla, with a short ventral duct that does not join it. What is the diagnosis?

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

B. Pancreas divisum

In pancreas divisum, the ventral and dorsal pancreatic buds fail to fuse so that most of the secretions drain via the small minor papilla, and may cause relative obstruction and pancreatitis. It is the commonest congenital pancreatic anomaly.

Option by option

  • A. Annular pancreas

    Annular pancreas encircles the duodenum and causes duodenal obstruction.

  • B. Pancreas divisum (correct)

    Correct. A dorsal duct draining to the minor papilla is pancreas divisum.

  • C. Choledochal cyst

    A choledochal cyst is a biliary dilatation.

  • D. Autoimmune pancreatitis

    Autoimmune pancreatitis shows a sausage-shaped gland with a narrow duct.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

More Radiology questions

Questions about this Radiology question

What is the answer to this Radiology question?

The best answer is B, Pancreas divisum. In pancreas divisum, the ventral and dorsal pancreatic buds fail to fuse so that most of the secretions drain via the small minor papilla, and may cause relative obstruction and pancreatitis.

Why is "Annular pancreas" not the answer?

Annular pancreas encircles the duodenum and causes duodenal obstruction.

Why is "Choledochal cyst" not the answer?

A choledochal cyst is a biliary dilatation.

Why is "Autoimmune pancreatitis" not the answer?

Autoimmune pancreatitis shows a sausage-shaped gland with a narrow duct.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Pancreatic imaging: pancreas divisum in Radiology. It is the commonest congenital pancreatic anomaly.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as a multi-step question: it asks you to combine more than one idea. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Pancreatic imaging: pancreas divisum?

Learn signs with the image, and the disease they point to. Then use the flashcards and the other Radiology questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.