CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 · Journal of Gastrointestinal and Abdominal Radiology 2021; 4(03): 214-228
DOI: 10.1055/s-0041-1726663
Review Article

Imaging of Ampullary and Periampullary Conditions

Abhijit Sunnapwar
1   Department of Radiology, University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas, United States
,
Arpit Nagar
2   Department of Radiology, Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, Ohio, United States
,
Rashmi Katre
1   Department of Radiology, University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas, United States
,
Lokesh Khanna
1   Department of Radiology, University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas, United States
,
Hari Prasad Sayana
3   Department of Gastroenterology, University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas, United States
› Author Affiliations

Abstract

The ampulla of Vater is formed by the union of the pancreatic duct and the common bile duct and is also known as hepatopancreatic ampulla or hepatopancreatic duct. The ampulla is surrounded by a muscular valve known as the sphincter of Oddi, which controls the flow of bile and pancreatic juices into the duodenum in response to food. The ampulla is also an important embryological landmark as it marks the anatomical transition from foregut to the midgut. Because of this, it is a watershed zone where the blood supply changes from the celiac axis to the superior mesenteric artery. Radiologic evaluation of the ampulla and the periampullary region is challenging because it requires an understanding of the embryology, the normal appearance, and different anatomic variants. Also, a wide variety of pathologies can occur in this region. The purpose of this review is to present the normal anatomy of the ampulla and the periampullary region on different imaging modalities and to summarize the imaging features of the common variants, and benign and malignant ampullary and periampullary conditions. Understanding of the normal anatomical appearance and variants along with the knowledge of common pathologic conditions affecting the ampulla and periampullary conditions can help radiologists in making accurate diagnosis resulting in optimum patient care.



Publication History

Article published online:
05 May 2021

© 2021. Indian Society of Gastrointestinal and Abdominal Radiology. This is an open access article published by Thieme under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonDerivative-NonCommercial-License, permitting copying and reproduction so long as the original work is given appropriate credit. Contents may not be used for commercial purposes, or adapted, remixed, transformed or built upon. (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/).

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