Heterotopic Pancreatic Tissue Mimicking a Submucosal Gastric Tumour

    

    

    Figure 3: Gastroscopy demonstration of the lesion.
    

Discussion

Although the exact pathogenesis of heterotopic pancreatic tissue has not been identified, there have been two main embryological theories. The first proposes that during the development of the pancreas form several evaginations from the wall of the primitive duodenum, one or more evaginations may remain within bowel wall, which after migrating with the development of the gastrointestinal tract gives rise to the ectopic pancreatic tissue [1]. The second theory suggests that the heterotopic pancreas may be due to its separation from the primitive pancreas during embryonic rotation [5]. Heterotopic pancreatic tissue can be found in numerous locations including the oesophagus, gallbladder, common bile duct, spleen, mesentery, mediastinum and fallopian tubes. However, the most likely locations are within the stomach (25%-38%), duodenum (17%-36%), and jejunum (15%-21%). Within the stomach itself, up to 95% are located in the antrum [6]. They are most typically found at autopsies or incidentally during laparotomies having an incidence of 1%-14% and 0.2% respectively [7]. The tissue can be completely asymptomatic or it can manifest in various ways depending on size and location, in this case causing intermittent gastric outlet obstruction. The most common symptom is generalised abdominal pain and dyspepsia which has been attributed to the secretion of hormones and enzymes of the heterotopic pancreatic tissue causing inflammation and irritation of the involved tissues [8]. Furthermore, mass effect can result in gastric outlet obstruction if pre-pyloric, or obstructive jaundice if located in a bile duct. Other symptoms include upper-GI bleeding due to mucosal erosion, ulcer formation and perforation [9]. It is very rare for heterotopic pancreatic tissue to undergo malignant transformation, with only 15 reported cases to date. However, although usually silent they can become pathologic just like the normal pancreas resulting in acute or chronic pancreatitis, abscess and pseudocyst formation [10]. In a study of 184 cases, the average size of the heterotopic pancreatic tissues was 8.4mm, with very few being over 20mm [11]. Other case reports have presented varying sizes of up to 35mm [12], but to our knowledge our case presents the largest recorded, measuring 40x35x40mm.

The diagnosis of heterotopic pancreas is difficult as there are no definitive investigative tools. Barium swallow, endoscopic ultrasonography and computed tomography have all been used in aiding diagnosis, but none has proven to be gold-standard [13,14]. Occasionally a diagnosis can be made on the basis of endoscopic biopsies, however, the diagnosis is confirmed only by surgical resection and histopathological examination of the tissue (Figure 4) [2]. The Gaspar Fuentes (1973) classification of heterotopic pancreasis a modified version of the original classification by Heinrich in 1909, dividing the tissue histologically into 4 Types. Type 1 consists of acini, ducts and islets similar to the normal pancreas; Type 2 consists of ducts only; Type 3 consists of acini only; and Type 4 consists of islets only [12]. Our case is a Heinrich type 1, which is also the most common type. As GISTs are by far the most common gastric submucosal tumour, heterotopic pancreatic tissue can mistakenly be diagnosed as one as it happened in our case. Furthermore, as endoscopic appearance of these heterotopic pancreatic tissues exhibits a well-circumscribed submucosal mass with a normal overlying mucosa, it can further confuse the diagnosis with other submucosal tumours such as GISTs or leiomyomas. However, one feature that distinguishes them apart is that the heterotopic pancreatic tissue may have a central dimpling corresponding with the opening of a duct; although only seen in less than half of cases [12]. Furthermore, prepyloric or duodenal location, endoluminal growth pattern, prominent enhancement of overlying mucosa and a CT long diameter to short diameter ratio greater than 1.4 have all been highlighted to favour the characteristics of a heterotopic pancreas over a GIST or leiomyoma [15]. Although this has been proposed, our case had a ratio of 1.3, hence implying that these are not strict criteria. Most patients with heterotopic pancreas are asymptomatic and require no treatment. However, in patients with severe symptoms, the lesion should be excised either surgically or endoscopically [2]. Due to the difficulty of distinguishing heterotopic pancreatic tissue from primary or metastatic cancer, frozen sections have been recommended to take place routinely during surgical resection to confirm the diagnosis and avoid unwanted radical surgery such as Whipple’s procedure or subtotal gastrectomy [16]. In summary, we have presented an unusual case of a heterotopic pancreatic tissue mimicking a sub-mucosal tumour causing intermittent gastric outlet obstruction. They can be completely asymptomatic or present with abdominal pain, bleeding and obstructive symptoms, and very rarely can undergo malignant transformation. These tissues are a diagnostic dilemma for the clinician and should be considered as a differential diagnosis for GISTs. If symptomatic, surgical resection should be performed.

    

    

    Figure 4: Histopathology of the resected tissue.
A: Exocrine pancreatic tissue. B: Endocrine pancreatic tissue