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. It is a congenital disease and is also known as heterotopic, accessory, or aberrant pancreas.

Signs and symptoms

Often, heterotopic pancreas is asymptomatic. When present, symptoms may include abdominal pain and distension. Often heterotopic pancreas is 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, duodenum or jejunum. Rarely, pancreatic heterotopic tissue may be found in the colon, spleen or liver.

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.

Signs and symptoms

Diagnosis

Treatment

Epidemiology

References

External links