Open AccessMalignant transformation of ectopic pancreatic cells in the duodenal wall
Author(s) -
Roberto Bini,
P Voghera,
Alberto Tapparo,
R. Nunziata,
Andrea Demarchi,
Matteo Capocefalo,
R Leli
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
world journal of gastroenterology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.427
H-Index - 155
eISSN - 2219-2840
pISSN - 1007-9327
DOI - 10.3748/wjg.v16.i10.1293
Subject(s) - medicine , ectopic pancreas , asymptomatic , pancreas , biopsy , radiology , adenocarcinoma , malignant transformation , pancreatitis , neoplastic transformation , whipple procedure , ultrasonography , surgery , pancreaticoduodenectomy , pathology , cancer , carcinogenesis
Ectopic pancreas (EP) is the relatively uncommon presence of pancreatic tissue outside the normal location of the pancreas. This condition is usually asymptomatic and rarely complicated by pancreatitis and malignant transformation. A few cases of neoplastic phenomena that developed from EP into the duodenal wall are described in the literature. Herein we report a case of gastric outlet obstruction due to adenocarcinoma arising from EP of the duodenal wall. The patient underwent a Whipple's procedure and had an uneventful post-operative recovery. Traditional imaging studies are often inconclusive in the definitive diagnosis, whilst endoscopic ultrasonography and guided biopsy may aid accurate pre-operative diagnosis. Diagnostic uncertainty warrants surgical exploration and if necessary extended resection is indicated.