Excruciating Pain
Sphincter of Oddi
Found during a Hida Scan.
Sphincter of oddi is situated in the upper intestine, or duodenum, at the site where the pancreatic and bile ducts enter. Normally, this sphincter
functions as a one-way valve to allow bile and pancreatic secretions to
enter the bowel, while preventing the contents of the bowel from
backing up into these ducts.
When the sphincter
malfunctions, it becomes overly tight and does not allow adequate
drainage of the pancreatic and bile ducts. The result is a pressure
build-up in the ducts, leading to recurrent episodes of pancreatitis or
biliary pain mimicking gallstone disease. |
