Acute terminal pancreatitis occurring in jejunal heterotopic pancreas

Abstract

Conclusion: We report a unique case of acute terminal pancreatitis occurring in the jejunal heterotopic pancreas. Unlike previously reported cases, acute pancreatitis was not found histologically in the ordinary pancreas.

Background: Heterotopic pancreas may show the same inflammatory or neoplastic changes, such as acute pancreatitis and adenocarcinoma, as those that occur in the ordinary pancreas. However, histologically proven acute pancreatitis occurring in heterotopic pancreas is very rare and only three reports have been described.

Methods: A 53-yr-old Japanese man died of hepatic failure, and autopsy was performed.

Results: Autopsy incidentally revealed heterotopic pancreas of the jejunum. Microscopically, focal acute pancreatitis was observed in the jejunal heterotopic pancreas, whereas the pancreas of the normal location showed no abnormality. In addition, no clinical evidence of pancreatic disease was noted before death. Therefore, we diagnosed this case as acute terminal pancreatitis occurring in the jejunal heterotopic pancreas.