Ectopic pancreas

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Ectopic pancreas
Other namesHeterotopic pancreas,
Accessory pancreas,
Aberrant pancreas,
Pancreatic rest,
Myoepithelial hamartoma
Stomach with pancreatic heterotopia, low mag.2.jpg
Stomach biopsy with pancreatic heterotopia in the submucosa. H&E Stain.
Specialty Gastroenterology
Symptoms Often asymptomatic, may cause abdominal pain and distension
Diagnostic method Biopsy, histologic evaluation
Differential diagnosis Gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) [1]
TreatmentSurgery if symptomatic
Medication None
FrequencyUncommon [1]

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. [2] It is a disease which is congenital [2] and is also known as heterotopic, accessory, or aberrant pancreas. [3]

Contents

Signs and symptoms

Often, heterotopic pancreas is asymptomatic. When present, symptoms may include abdominal pain and distension. [1] 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,

Pancreatic rest in gastric antrum jiirnnaashyN aNtimkuhrNloo sthaanbhrssttmain kloomgrNthi knnjaalmu (Pancreatic rest in gastric antrum).jpg
Pancreatic rest in gastric antrum

duodenum, or jejunum. [1] It usually appears as a smooth or umbilicated nodule. Rarely, pancreatic heterotopic tissue may be found in the colon, spleen or liver. [1]

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. [1]

Epidemiology

The incidence of heterotopic pancreas is relatively low. [1]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Yuan, Z; Chen, J; Zheng, Q; Huang, XY; Yang, Z; Tang, J (7 August 2009). "Heterotopic pancreas in the gastrointestinal tract". World Journal of Gastroenterology. 15 (29): 3701–3. doi: 10.3748/wjg.15.3701 . PMC   2721251 . PMID   19653355.
  2. 1 2 Perera, Eranga (26 April 2010). "Ectopic Pancreas". Imaging Science Today. Archived from the original on 25 November 2010.
  3. ↑ Kim, Ji Young; et al. (2009). "Ectopic Pancreas: CT Findings with Emphasis on Differentiation from Small Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor and Leiomyoma". Radiology. 252 (1). Radiological Society of North America: 92–100. doi:10.1148/radiol.2521081441. PMID   19561251.
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