Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) showing dorsal pancreatic agenesis

Partial pancreatic agenesis is also known as hypoplasia of the pancreas or short pancreas. It is an extremely rare condition in which the dorsal or ventral pancreas is absent. On occasion, patients may present with abdominal pain or pancreatitis. The diagnosis is made by radiologic examination, which reveals the agenesis of the pancreatic segment. Complete agenesis of the pancreas is not compatible with life.