Ectopic pancreas
Ectopic pancreas | |
---|---|
Other names | Heterotopic pancreas, Accessory pancreas, Aberrant pancreas, Pancreatic rest, Myoepithelial hamartoma |
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] |
Treatment | Surgery if symptomatic |
Medication | None |
Frequency | Uncommon[1] |
An ectopic pancreas is an anatomical abnormality in which pancreatic tissue has grown outside its normal location 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]
Signs and symptoms
Often, heterotopic pancreas is
Ectopic pancreatic tissue may occur anywhere in the abdominal cavity, though more than 90 percent are found in the stomach, duodenum, or jejunum.[1] Rarely, pancreatic heterotopic tissue may be found in the colon, spleen or liver.[1]
Diagnosis
The
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]