Anatomie et imagerie du duodénum

The duodenum is the first part of the small bowel. It extends from the pylore to the duodeno-jejunal flexure. The duodenum is divided into four parts. Endoscopy is usually the first-line imaging technique used in case of suspected duodenal abnormalities. Barium examination with double contrast technique has a good sensitivity for detailed evaluation of mucosal lesions and bowel wall. Ultrasonography and computed tomography may sometimes detect duodenal lesions previously unsuspected. Magnetic resonance imaging may also appreciate the duodenum. As the duodenum is located around the pancreatic head, cross section imaging is frequently used to evaluate simultaneously these two structures.