Dilated pancreatic duct: What to do?

in reply to @geraldine1961 I too have the dilation of the pancreatic duct, as well as my liver duct. I too suffer from the upper right abdomen pain, chronic nausea and diarrhea. I agree that pancreatitis could be causing your symptoms, but would certainly ask your doctor about the duct dilation. Could the antibiotic be causing you more nausea. Taking a probiotic along with it may be helpful to you.
Best of luck

I went to the ER at the end of April due to abdominal pain. It turned out to be enteritis, but the CT scan showed that I had a dilated pancreas at 4.5 mm. The doctor felt that was the most important thing to get evaluated. I made an appointment with a new G.I. doctor, and brought old CT records. I noticed that the first time my pancreas showed dilation was Jan 2023 at 4mm and 4.5mm in April 2023. He decided based on my past history of smoking, which made me high risk, that I should have a EGD/endoscopic ultrasound and biopsy. I had that done a few days ago and it turned out that it was in fact dilated a bit more than the CT showed. The exact description notated by the doctor was, “Focal ductal dilation was noted in the main pancreatic duct in the head of pancreas, measured at 5 mm.” However he didn’t do a biopsy but biopsied my esophagus, stomach and duodenum. I was surprised by that and when I asked why he didn’t do it he said it looked ok to him but it was dilated and needs monitoring. That it was too risky to biopsy and to get an MRI/MRCP in a year. I asked why he did the other biopsies since he told me those areas were normal. He said because of your symptoms and there was no risk to biopsy them even though they were normal. I feel completely uncomfortable and misled. I am thinking I should get a second opinion. I’ve already had to go to Mayo once before for a major misdiagnosis with something else. Thoughts? Anyone have a similar experience? Thanks in advance.

I went to the ER at the end of April due to abdominal pain. It turned out to be enteritis, but the CT scan showed that I had a dilated pancreas at 4.5 mm. The doctor felt that was the most important thing to get evaluated. I made an appointment with a new G.I. doctor, and brought old CT records. I noticed that the first time my pancreas showed dilation was Jan 2023 at 4mm and 4.5mm in April 2023. He decided based on my past history of smoking, which made me high risk, that I should have a EGD/endoscopic ultrasound and biopsy. I had that done a few days ago and it turned out that it was in fact dilated a bit more than the CT showed. The exact description notated by the doctor was, “Focal ductal dilation was noted in the main pancreatic duct in the head of pancreas, measured at 5 mm.” However he didn’t do a biopsy but biopsied my esophagus, stomach and duodenum. I was surprised by that and when I asked why he didn’t do it he said it looked ok to him but it was dilated and needs monitoring. That it was too risky to biopsy and to get an MRI/MRCP in a year. I asked why he did the other biopsies since he told me those areas were normal. He said because of your symptoms and there was no risk to biopsy them even though they were normal. I feel completely uncomfortable and misled. I am thinking I should get a second opinion. I’ve already had to go to Mayo once before for a major misdiagnosis with something else. Thoughts? Anyone have a similar experience? Thanks in advance.

I went to the ER at the end of April due to abdominal pain. It turned out to be enteritis, but the CT scan showed that I had a dilated pancreas at 4.5 mm. The doctor felt that was the most important thing to get evaluated. I made an appointment with a new G.I. doctor, and brought old CT records. I noticed that the first time my pancreas showed dilation was Jan 2023 at 4mm and 4.5mm in April 2023. He decided based on my past history of smoking, which made me high risk, that I should have a EGD/endoscopic ultrasound and biopsy. I had that done a few days ago and it turned out that it was in fact dilated a bit more than the CT showed. The exact description notated by the doctor was, “Focal ductal dilation was noted in the main pancreatic duct in the head of pancreas, measured at 5 mm.” However he didn’t do a biopsy but biopsied my esophagus, stomach and duodenum. I was surprised by that and when I asked why he didn’t do it he said it looked ok to him but it was dilated and needs monitoring. That it was too risky to biopsy and to get an MRI/MRCP in a year. I asked why he did the other biopsies since he told me those areas were normal. He said because of your symptoms and there was no risk to biopsy them even though they were normal. I feel completely uncomfortable and misled. I am thinking I should get a second opinion. I’ve already had to go to Mayo once before for a major misdiagnosis with something else. Thoughts? Anyone have a similar experience? Thanks in advance.

I, myself, had pain on and off for quite a long time several years after gallbladder surgery. My gastro dr. ordered an MRCP which essentially is an MRI of the pancreas and biliary ductwork. This test is not invasive nor is it dangerous. The ERCP, however, which is a definitive test to treat problems of the bile and biliary ducts pancreas, entails introducting a catheter into the ductwork itself using a contrast dye for imaging under fluoroscopy to look for narrowed areas or blockages which also allows for biopsies, stone removal, tumor removal, etc. This latter procedure can end up possibly causing perforations and infections, and possible excessive bleeding. Notabl, it can also cause pancreatitis which can be life threatening. From what I have read, not all regular gastro drs. do ERCPs since they appear to realize how dangerous they may be if not performed properly.

Thank you for your feedback. I got into a GI doc at Mayo in Jacksonville for next week. She specializes in the pancreas. My biopsy results for the stomach, duodenum and esophagus are not back yet but his initial comments after EGD/EU is that it all looked normal except for redness in the stomach and dilation of the pancreas. I just want a good diagnosis I can trust and proper folllow up. From what I’ve read the dilation of the pancreas must be monitored.