Asymptomatic heterotopic pancreas in Meckel's diverticulum: a case report and review of the literature.

Alfredas Kilius,Gytis Zaldokas,Donatas Danys,Dmitrij Seinin,Narimantas Evaldas Samalavicius

doi:10.1186/s13256-015-0576-x

Alfredas Kilius, Gytis Zaldokas + Show 3 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1186/s13256-015-0576-x

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Abstract

IntroductionHeterotopic pancreas is defined as pancreatic tissue without a real anatomical or vascular connection to the pancreas. It can be found in the stomach, duodenum, jejunum, ileum, Meckel’s diverticulum, colon gall bladder, umbilicus, fallopian tube, mediastinum, spleen and liver. Complications of heterotopic pancreas are inflammation, bleeding, obstruction, malignant transformation, carcinoid syndrome, jejunojejunal intussusception and ileus, but it is usually asymptomatic and diagnosed only during examinations for other diseases.Case presentationAn 81-year-old Lithuanian woman was diagnosed with caecal cancer and had undergone elective surgery. A right hemicolectomy was performed and a Meckel’s diverticulum was observed and excised. Histological results showed a poorly differentiated G3 adenocarcinoma of her large intestine and heterotopic pancreas tissue in the Meckel’s diverticulum and mesenteric adipose tissue.ConclusionsAsymptomatic heterotopic pancreas is rarely diagnosed, and usually found incidentally during surgical or diagnostic interventions. Although it has no symptoms, heterotopic pancreas found during surgical procedures should be excised.

Highlights

Heterotopic pancreas is defined as pancreatic tissue without a real anatomical or vascular connection to the pancreas
The most common sites of Heterotopic pancreas (HP) are the stomach, duodenum, and jejunum, but it can be found in the ileum, Meckel’s diverticulum (MD), colon, gall bladder, umbilicus, fallopian tube, mediastinum, spleen, and liver [4]
Most patients with ectopic pancreas are asymptomatic and diagnosis is usually confirmed during a radiological examination or endoscopy of the digestive tract or during surgical explorations motivated by other diseases [9]

Summary

Introduction

Heterotopic pancreas is defined as pancreatic tissue without a real anatomical or vascular connection to the pancreas. It can be found in the stomach, duodenum, jejunum, ileum, Meckel’s diverticulum, colon gall bladder, umbilicus, fallopian tube, mediastinum, spleen and liver. Complications of heterotopic pancreas are inflammation, bleeding, obstruction, malignant transformation, carcinoid syndrome, jejunojejunal intussusception and ileus, but it is usually asymptomatic and diagnosed only during examinations for other diseases. The most common sites of HP are the stomach, duodenum, and jejunum, but it can be found in the ileum, Meckel’s diverticulum (MD), colon, gall bladder, umbilicus, fallopian tube, mediastinum, spleen, and liver [4].

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