Diagnostic significance of a dilated orifice of the duodenal papilla in intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm of the pancreas.

Background: A dilated orifice of the duodenal papilla found during screening endoscopy or ERCP is well-known as one of the specific findings of intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm (IPMN). However, its clinical significance is still unclear.

Objective: To assess the diagnostic significance of a dilated orifice of the duodenal papilla and evaluate whether this could be a factor predictive of malignancy or a subtype of IPMN.

Design: Retrospective study.

Setting: University hospital.

Patients: This study involved 149 patients who underwent pancreatectomy for IPMN between January 1987 and June 2011.

Intervention: ERCP.

Main Outcome Measurements: The rate of malignant and intestinal type IPMNs in patients with and without papillary dilation.

Results: A dilated orifice of the duodenal papilla was significantly associated with intestinal type IPMN (P < .001), but this finding could not predict the malignant grade of IPMN (P = .13). Multivariate analysis revealed that a dilated orifice was a significant factor for predicting intestinal type in both main duct (P = .01) and branch duct IPMNs (P < .001).

Limitations: The validity of the definition of papillary dilation, selection bias, and a retrospective study.

Conclusion: A dilated orifice of the duodenal papilla could be a significant factor for predicting intestinal type IPMN. This may lead to better clinical management of patients with IPMN.