Heterotopic Pancreas: A Rare Cause of Gastrointestinal Bleeding in Children

Various Phenotypes of Ectopic Pancreatic Tissue in Children: Case Series and Literature Review

Background and Clinical Significance: Ectopic pancreatic tissue (EPT), an infrequently documented condition within the pediatric population, is often asymptomatic. When clinical manifestations do occur, their severity is contingent upon the location, size, and involvement of the adjacent mucosa. Case presentation: This is a case series study, involving six children aged 15 days-13 years diagnosed with EPT from a single institution. Five of the six cases presented with both EPT and ectopic gastric tissue, located at the site of Meckel's diverticulum, while one case presented EPT exclusively, which was localized in the duodenum I. A case of Littre's hernia was identified in a newborn. Two of the six cases experienced gastrointestinal bleeding. Due to limited data on EPT in children, a comprehensive review of the literature was conducted to integrate the findings of the case series. The review synthesized evidence on clinical manifestations, diagnostic approaches, phenotypic classifications, and management strategies. Articles were identified through searches on PubMed and publisher platforms such as Elsevier and Wiley Online Library, using keywords like "ectopic pancreatic tissue", "heterotopic pancreas", and "pediatric ectopic pancreas". Conclusions: The identification of EPT continues to pose a diagnostic challenge, as the symptoms are nonspecific and can sometimes be life-threatening. Additionally, there are currently no specific paraclinical investigations available for this purpose. Histopathological evaluation remains crucial for establishing the diagnosis, which is often confirmed only after complications have arisen.

Esophageal Atresia and Gastric Ectopic Pancreas: Is There a Real Association?

OBJECTIVE

 Heterotopic pancreas (HP) is a condition in which there is well-differentiated pancreatic tissue that lacks any anatomic or vascular contact with the pancreatic gland. It normally arises from the stomach but can be found in other locations. Although it is usually asymptomatic, obstructive symptoms, bleeding, or malignant degeneration can occur. The incidence is very low, but it is significantly more common in patients with esophageal atresia (EA). The aim of this study is to evaluate the incidence of HP in patients with and without EA and to compare the results in both groups.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

 We conducted a 2-year prospective study in pediatric patients who benefited from an upper gastrointestinal endoscopy. Patients were divided into two groups: group "A" comprised patients with EA and group "B" those without EA. The variables analyzed were the clinical presentation, presence of HP, location, associated malformations, genetic disorders, and management.

RESULTS

 A total of 192 consecutive patients were included in the study: 51 (26.6%) in group A and 141 (73.4%) in group B. Indications for endoscopy in group B were eosinophilic esophagitis in 37 (19.2%) patients, celiac disease in 23 (11.95%) patients, and other disorders in 81 (42.2%) patients. Gastric HP was found in seven patients, all of them in group A. All lesions were hosted in the prepyloric antrum. The prevalence of HP in groups A and B was 13.7 and 0%, respectively (p < 0.05). Female gender was predominant in patients with AE and HP, this result being statistically significant (p = 0.044). No other associated malformation or genetic syndrome studied showed association with HP. Only one patient debuted with upper gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding and required excision, while six patients were asymptomatic. The mean follow-up was 54 months (range: 45-78 months).

CONCLUSION

 The incidence of gastric HP is more common in patients with EA, with the female gender being a risk factor for their association. Active search and follow-up is recommended as it may become symptomatic anytime and need resection.

Localization and Laparoscopic Excision of Gastric Heterotopic Pancreas in a Child by Endoscopic SPOT® Tattooing

Heterotopic pancreas (HP) is defined as pancreatic tissue lacking vascular or anatomic connection with the normal pancreas. Surgical resection is often indicated for symptomatic gastric HP. However, intraoperative identification of gastric HP is often difficult during laparoscopic surgery. Herein, we describe a patient with gastric HP, which was marked with SPOT® dye (GI Supply, Camp Hill, PA, USA). The dye was seen clearly laparoscopically facilitating total excision of the lesion. The final pathology report confirmed the presence of heterotopic pancreatic tissue including pancreatic acini, small pancreatic ducts tissue with islets of Langerhans in the deep gastric submucosal area. There were no postoperative complications, and the patient was symptom-free. To the best of our knowledge, this was the first case report in the literature in which endoscopic tattooing of gastric HP before laparoscopic resection was performed. This method of localization was simple and reliable in children.

The Diagnostic Contribution of SPECT/CT Imaging in the Assessment of Gastrointestinal Bleeding: Especially for Previously Operated Patients

Objectives:

Gastrointestinal bleeding (GIB) is a life-threatening problem that requires a multidisciplinary approach for successful treatment. This study aims to emphasize the clinical contribution of single photon emission computed tomography/computed tomography (SPECT/CT) for the diagnosis of acute bleeding.

Methods:

All 14 patients referred to the nuclear medicine department in 3 years with suspicion of acute GIB were evaluated retrospectively. Clinical records were analyzed to assess the scintigraphic findings, emphasizing the correlative contribution of the CT portion on SPECT/CT studies.

Results:

Five patients were negative on dynamic and static planar images. SPECT/CT was performed in 9 patients who had positive findings on planar imaging. SPECT/CT could identify the same bleeding site originating from the anastomosis in four patients with a history of abdominal surgery. SPECT/CT confirmed bleeding from the cecum in a patient with cervical cancer. SPECT/CT showed the bleeding focus in the bladder neck of a patient with bladder cancer and the bleeding from peritoneal metastases of a patient with gastric cancer. In 1 patient, the right upper quadrant activity accumulation, which may cause false positives, was found to be the gallbladder on SPECT/CT. Delayed images showed the true bleeding focus in the cecum. In 1 patient, suspicious activity accumulation in the midline of the abdomen was found to be due to a previously unknown aortic aneurysm on SPECT/CT.

Conclusion:

SPECT/CT imaging is a feasible technique to facilitate image interpretation in patients with GIB. SPECT/CT imaging can guide the surgeon through more accurate localization. Therefore, for proper patient management, SPECT/CT should be applied to detect the bleeding focus, if present, especially in patients who had undergone a previous operation.

Gastric heterotopic pancreas in children: A prospective endoscopic study

PURPOSE

To document the prevalence and variable appearance of gastric heterotopic pancreas (HP) in children undergoing upper gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopy.

METHODS

A prospective 4-year study of children undergoing flexible upper GI endoscopy in a single institution.

RESULTS

A total of 607 upper GI endoscopies were performed in 478 pediatric patients during the 4-year period. Eleven children (6 girls, 5 boys) aged 2.9 to 16.9 years had endoscopic features typical of gastric HP. All but one lesion was located in the gastric antrum and most appeared as an umbilicated submucosal nodule measuring 1-2 cm in diameter. Five of 13 children with repaired esophageal atresia (EA) and two of nine children with trisomy 21 had gastric HP. The prevalence of endoscopically visualized gastric HP in children without a history of EA or trisomy 21 was 1.1%.

CONCLUSIONS

Gastric HP is present in about 1% of pediatric upper GI endoscopies. It is significantly more common in patients with EA and may also be associated with trisomy 21. Gastric HP typically appears as a single 1-2 cm antral submucosal nodule, usually with a central pit. Recognition of this lesion is important to avoid misdiagnosis and inappropriate treatment.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level II (diagnostic).