Ectopic pancreas

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 disease which is congenital 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. Heterotopic pancreas is commonly 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.

Epidemiology
The incidence of heterotopic pancreas is relatively low.