| 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 | Oftenasymptomatic, may causeabdominal pain anddistension |
| Diagnostic method | Biopsy, histologic evaluation |
| Differential diagnosis | Gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST)[1] |
| Treatment | Surgery if symptomatic |
| Medication | None |
| Frequency | Uncommon[1] |
Anectopic pancreas is ananatomical abnormality in whichpancreatic tissue has grown outside its normal location (ectopia) and withoutvascular or other anatomical connections to the pancreas.[2] It is adisease which iscongenital[2] and is also known as heterotopic, accessory, or aberrant pancreas.[3]
Often, heterotopic pancreas isasymptomatic. When present,symptoms may includeabdominal pain and distension.[1] Heterotopic pancreas is commonly recognized as anincidental finding on imaging studies performed for an unrelated reason.
Ectopic pancreatic tissue may occur anywhere in theabdominal cavity, though more than 90 percent are found in thestomach,
.jpg)
duodenum, orjejunum.[1] It usually appears as a smooth or umbilicated nodule. Rarely, pancreatic heterotopic tissue may be found in thecolon,spleen orliver.[1]
Thediagnosis of ectopic pancreas can be challenging. Confirmation of the diagnosis requires tissue sampling, viabiopsy orsurgical resection.
If no symptoms are present, thentreatment is not necessary. When symptoms are present, treatment consists ofsurgical resection.[1]
Theincidence of heterotopic pancreas is relatively low.[1]
_histopatholgy.jpg)