Ectopic pancreas explained

Synonym:Heterotopic pancreas,
Accessory pancreas,
Aberrant pancreas,
Pancreatic rest,
Myoepithelial hamartoma
Specialty:Gastroenterology
Symptoms:Often asymptomatic, may cause abdominal pain and distension
Diagnosis:Biopsy, histologic evaluation
Differential:Gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST)
Treatment:Surgery if symptomatic
Medication:None
Frequency:Uncommon

An ectopic pancreas is an anatomical abnormality in which pancreatic tissue has grown outside its normal location (ectopia) and without vascular or other anatomical connections to the pancreas.[1] It is a disease which is congenital and is also known as heterotopic, accessory, or aberrant pancreas.[2]

Signs and symptoms

Often, heterotopic pancreas is asymptomatic. When present, symptoms may include abdominal pain and distension. Heterotopic pancreas is commonly recognized as an incidental finding on imaging studies performed for an unrelated reason.

Ectopic pancreatic tissue may occur anywhere in the abdominal cavity, though more than 90 percent are found in the stomach, duodenum, or jejunum. Rarely, pancreatic heterotopic tissue may be found in the colon, spleen or liver.

Diagnosis

The diagnosis of ectopic pancreas can be challenging. Confirmation of the diagnosis requires tissue sampling, via biopsy or surgical resection.

Treatment

If no symptoms are present, then treatment is not necessary. When symptoms are present, treatment consists of surgical resection.

Epidemiology

The incidence of heterotopic pancreas is relatively low.[3]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Perera, Eranga. Ectopic Pancreas . 26 April 2010. Imaging Science Today. https://web.archive.org/web/20101125004205/http://imagingsciencetoday.com/teaching-case/gi-radiology/20100426/ectopic-pancreas-1000.html. 25 November 2010. live.
  2. Kim, Ji Young. 2009. Ectopic Pancreas: CT Findings with Emphasis on Differentiation from Small Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor and Leiomyoma. Radiology. Radiological Society of North America. 252. 1. 92 - 100. 10.1148/radiol.2521081441. etal. 19561251.
  3. Yuan . Z . Chen . J . Zheng . Q . Huang . XY . Yang . Z . Tang . J . Heterotopic pancreas in the gastrointestinal tract. . World Journal of Gastroenterology . 7 August 2009 . 15 . 29 . 3701–3 . 10.3748/wjg.15.3701 . 19653355. 2721251 . free .