A case of ectopic pancreas in the ileum presenting as obscure gastrointestinal bleeding and abdominal pain

Background

Ectopic pancreas is an infrequent submucosal tumor in the gastrointestinal tract defined as a pancreatic tissue lacking vascular or anatomic continuity with the main body of the pancreas. Ectopic pancreas in the ileum is a rare and often an incidental finding. We report a case of ectopic pancreas in the ileum causing obscure gastrointestinal bleeding and episodes of abdominal pain.

Case presentation

59-year-old man with 3 months history of intermittent melena, accompanied by the episodes of abdominal pain in the left upper quadrant and generalized fatigue was admitted to our department. The investigations showed that the patient had a low hemoglobin level, i.e. 10.9 g/dL with hypochromic microcytic anemia pattern seen in complete blood count (MCV 70.2 fl, MCH 21.4 pg). Esophagogastroduodenoscopy and colonoscopy did not reveal any abnormalities. Magnetic resonance enterography revealed a large (2.5 × 2.3 cm) pedunculated polyp in the ileum. Examination by single-balloon enteroscopy revealed a polyp with long pedicle located approximately 1.5 m distal to terminal ileum. Polypectomy was performed. Histopathologic examination stated, that the specimen contained ectopic pancreatic tissue which was involving muscular layer of the ileum. Ectopic pancreatic tissue included acinar cells and cystically dilated secretory ducts without islets of Langerhans.

Conclusion

Our case report reveals a very rare cause of obscure gastrointestinal bleeding accompanied by the episodes of abdominal pain – an ectopic pancreas located in the ileum.

Heterotopic pancreas of the jejunum: associations between CT and pathology features

PURPOSE

To investigate the computed tomography (CT) features of heterotopic pancreas of the jejunum (HPJ) and to assess their associations with HPJ pathology features.

METHODS

In this retrospective series analysis, two radiologists reviewed the CT images of 17 patients with surgically proven HPJ in order to determine in consensus the location, long diameter, margin, shape, contour, and growth pattern of the lesions, the presence of a duct-like structure, the lesion enhancement patterns, including the homogeneity, and the degree of contrast enhancement compared with that of the main pancreas. The pathology features of the surgical specimens were reviewed and their associations with the CT features were assessed.

RESULTS

On CT, the HPJs typically appeared as a small (<3 cm), well-defined, ovoid or flat-shaped mass in the proximal jejunum with multiple and tiny lobulations. The growth pattern varied and the duct-like structure was rarely visible. The HPJs mostly appeared to be homogeneous and exhibited hyper- or isoattenuation compared to the main pancreas in the arterial and portal phases. However, these enhancement patterns varied slightly depending on the microscopic composition of the lesions (i.e., acinar vs. ductal predominance). Most HPJs comprised histologically of large acini, some ducts, and small islet cells, and had ductal communication with the jejunum.

CONCLUSIONS

HPJs typically manifested as small, well-defined, ovoid or flat-shaped, homogeneous, and well-enhancing masses with a microlobulated contour in the proximal jejunum on CT, and their enhancement patterns associated with their microscopic composition. The pathology features of HPJs generally mimic those of the normal pancreas.