Dilated pancreatic duct: Should I get a second opinion?

@cghodge2

Hi. I had two EUS from two different docs, one in Anchorage and another at Virginia Mason in Seattle. They didn't see anything. That was a year ago. I have a repeat MRI scheduled for Monday. Please keep me in your prayers. How are you?

@cghodge2 - good to hear that two different doctors saw nothing a year ago. Having had a neuroendocrine tumor surprisingly turn up on my very first colonoscopy in 2023, however, which they removed thinking it was a polyp, with all the testing and imaging that followed, sure taught me about the "scan-xiety" people talk about. It was tough.

How are you feeling about Monday's MRI? Do you do okay with MRIs?

@lisalucier
Good morning! I can't lie, I'm a bit nervous. I tried my best not to think about it over the weekend but it stayed on my mind. I know according to the Bible, we're not supposed to worry, but...

My appt is at 2 PM, can't eat anything after 12. Ugh! How are you doing though, since your procedure and the scans that followed? Do you have to have any additional testing?

Through all of this, it sure makes you want to appreciate life more and find true happiness.

@cghodge2 - I hope that all goes well today and that you feel very peaceful during your MRI and while awaiting your results.

I did a ton of testing the fall of 2023, and they finally determined I have 0% cancer remaining in my body, which was such good news. I have to do a colonoscopy every 2-3 years (my choice, and I chose 2 years) to follow up, but they did not seem at all worried about any recurrence.

My husband always kindly says to me when he sees me worrying about something, "Is that helping?" I have to admit, it really never is.

Do you have someone who will accompany you to the MRI? Who is supporting you back home?

Hello. I recently had an ultrasound and CT with contrast done due to a progressing intolerance to fatty foods which causes yellow loose stool with floating oil. Everything was unremarkable except a mildly dilated pancreatic duct of 4.5mm within the head and body. No discrete pancreatic mass identified. I am a 37 year old female of normal BMI. My doctor said they didn’t see anything on the scan that concerned them and that the individual who wrote the CT report is known for being “over-diagnostic”, they have ordered an MRCP to put my mind at ease. Just curious if others have had similar symptoms and dilation at a youngish age and how you monitored it going forward?

@leisags, what did your doctor say about the dilated duct?

Hi anonymousme, yellow loose stools with floating oil sounds like you are not producing enough pancreatic enzymes for digestion. I had that too. On my ultrasounds & CT scans they did not see anything until I had an MRI with dye. Then they remarked that I have 3 pancreatic masses. They put me on Crean which is pancreatic enzymes, which has significantly helped with the pain & the yellow/orange coloration in the stools. I am waiting now to meet with the Oncologist next week. Hope this helps

@tootsie100 Thank you for sharing, it is helpful to hear from others with similar experiences. I wish you swift clarity and healing thru your medical team.

A standard MRI does not image Interductal Papillary Mucinous Neoplasms (IPMN’s) very well, hence the order to do an MRCP which is standard protocol for IPMN detection and surveillance.

The symptoms of Exocrine Pancreas Insufficiency (EPI) of yellow to Orange oily stools that float and leave a greasy sheen on the surface of the toilet water are classic symptoms associated with EPI. A pancrealipase such as Creon or Zenpep is prescribed as Pancreatic Enzymes Replacement Therapy (PERT). An IPMN may be occurring in the main pancreatic duct or in a side branch duct communicating with main duct (IPamN whose growth shape extends into the main duct partially occluding it). The ERCP will be better at imaging an IPMN if one is present.

@kate1951 - curious how you are feeling lately and if you've gotten any relief from your symptoms? Did you end up having follow up with your gastro doctor?

@catt8722 - wondering what ended up happening with the 3mm dilation in the distal end of your pancreatic duct? Did you eventually get the imaging you were hoping for?