Ectopic pancreatic tissue is a rare incidental finding during abdominal surgery.
80% of the lesions are unifocal and less than 3 cm in size.
The most frequent site is the stomach, followed by duodenum and proximal jejunum.
The imaging modalities and endoscopic biopsy often remain inconclusive.
Only resection and and histopathologic examination provide the definitve diagnosis.
Ectopic pancreatic tissue is often incidentally encountered during abdominal surgery. We report a case of an incidental finding during a laparoscopic appendectomy, the approach to diagnosis and management of this.
The work has been reported in line with the SCARE criteria.
A 32 year-old woman was diagnosed with an intramural pre-pyloric mass during a laparoscopic appendectomy. The lesion was identified on a subsequent computed tomography as a homogenous mass on the greater curvature. Upper esophagho-gastro-duodenoscopy was normal. The intramural mass was confirmed by an endoscopic sonography and the fine needle biopsy showed aspecific inflammatory cells. A laparoscopic wedge resection was realized. Histopathologic examination confirmed the diagnosis of an ectopic pancreatic tissue.
The management of ectopic pancreas poses a medical challenge. The diagnostic quiver consists of radiologic exams and endoscopy, in combination with a direct biopsy of the lesion.
Despite the plethora of diagnostic modalities available, a definitive diagnosis for heterotopic pancreas often remains elusive, requiring more invasive diagnostic means. Although ample information is available in literature, there are currently no evidence-based guidelines regarding diagnosis and management of heterotopic pancreas.