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Heterotopic Pancreas : Introduction

 
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Pancreatic heterotopia is defined as the presence of pancreatic tissue outside of its normal anatomical location. It has an independent blood supply and lacks a physical connection to the pancreas. It is also known as ectopic pancreas or pancreatic rest.

Heterotopic pancreatic tissue is found in up to 15% of individuals at autopsy. However, since majority of the cases are asymptomatic, the incidence in surgical specimens is about 0.2%.

The most common locations are stomach, duodenum, jejunum, ileum, and Meckel's diverticulum. Stomach alone accounts for about 30% of cases. The duodenal cases involve the second portion several centimeters proximal to the ampulla of Vater. Rare locations include liver, gall bladder, bile ducts, umbilicus, mesentery, esophagus, lungs, and mediastinum.

About this image: This pediatric autopsy specimen shows the locations (white arrows) of heterotopic pancreatic tissue. The gastric focus is seen as a slight bulge in the prepyloric region. The jejunal focus is present on the serosal aspect.

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