What congenital anomaly is annular pancreas associated with?

Annular pancreas is a congenital anomaly in which a ring of pancreatic tissue encircles the duodenum, leading to potential obstruction. It is primarily associated with duodenal atresia, which is a condition where there is a complete blockage of the duodenum, preventing normal passage of contents from the stomach to the intestines. In cases of duodenal atresia, the anatomical changes and malformations that can occur often include the presence of an annular pancreas as it develops aberrantly alongside the duodenum during embryogenesis.

The association between these two anomalies is important for clinical considerations, as the presence of an annular pancreas can lead to symptoms related to duodenal obstruction, such as bilious vomiting and abdominal distension in newborns. Understanding this relationship is crucial for diagnosis and management strategies when an obstruction is identified in infants.