Familial chronic recurrent pancreatitis in identical twins. Case report and review of the literature.

Familial presentation of chronic recurrent pancreatitis in childhood is rare. The etiology of this illness is obscure, and its hereditary properties are not well defined. Simultaneous occurrence of chronic recurrent pancreatitis in identical twins with the same clinical presentation and similar typical pancreatographic abnormalities is exceptional. Twin sisters, aged 9 years, were admitted to the hospital because of recurrent attacks of pancreatitis. Ultrasound examination revealed an enlarged irregular pancreatic duct in both girls, and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography showed a distorted duct with multiple strictures and dilatations similar to a "chain of lakes" pattern. Both patients underwent longitudinal pancreatojejunostomy within a month. The therapeutic regimen and preoperative and surgical treatment of such patients are discussed, as is the optimal timing of intervention.