Diagnosis and management of ectopic pancreas： a report of 62 cases

Abstract

Objective To evaluate the diagnosis and management of ectopic pancreas. Methods The clinical data of 62 cases of ectopic pancreas, which were diagnosed by endoscopic ultrasonography （EUS） or pathologic findings between July 2006 and December 2007 were retrospectively analyzed. The cases were divided into 4 groups according to different ways of management. Group A included 37 patients, who were diagnosed as having ectopic pancreas （ 〈 19mm） by EUS only and were followed up via phone call every 3 months. Eight patients in group B were diagnosed by EUS as having submueosal lesions suspected as ectopic pancreas, and underwent operation because of large size or difficulty in diagnosis. Eight patients in group C received operation for other diseases and the ectopic pancreases were found in operation. Group D included 9 patients who underwent surgery due to malignant tumors. Results Ectopic pancreas were most commonly found as a single lesion in gastric antrum （35/62,56. 5% ） with mean size of 9. 2 ± 5.4 mm. All patients in group A were asymptomatic, of which 10 received followed-up endoscopy and no changes in size of the lesion were found. All patients in group B, C and D were diagnosed as ectopic pancreas pathologically. Conclusion Ectopic pancrea is relatively common and asymptomatic, only part of them could be diagnosed clinically. Carcinoma arising from the ectopic pancreas is rare and lesion of small size diagnosed by EUS could be followed up endoscopically. Key words: Heterotopic ; Pancreas ; Endoscopic ultrasonography; Notification