Published online Oct 16, 2023. doi: 10.12998/wjcc.v11.i29.7221
Peer-review started: August 8, 2023
First decision: August 30, 2023
Revised: September 11, 2023
Accepted: September 18, 2023
Article in press: September 18, 2023
Published online: October 16, 2023
Ectopic pancreas may be unfamiliar to many people because it is rare and difficult to diagnose. However, this disease is highly susceptible to misdiagnosis and missed diagnosis. In this article, we report two cases of pancreatic heterotopia in the gastric sinus and small intestine, respectively, both of which were confirmed by histopathological examination.
The first patient was a 43-year-old female which reported abdominal distension for 2 mo. The second was a 67-year-old female who experienced intermittent epigastric discomfort for 15 d. In both cases, there was no confirmed preoperative examination, and the postoperative pathology indicated the presence of ectopic pancreas.
The diagnosis of ectopic pancreas is difficult, and is often prone to misdiagnosis and the possibility of being overlooked. Various laboratory tests and imaging tests should be carefully evaluated before surgery to achieve early detection, early diagnosis and early treatment.
Core Tip: Ectopic pancreas is rare, is usually clinically asymptomatic, and lacks a specific clinical presentation. Therefore, ectopic pancreas is often missed and misdiagnosed in clinical practice. This article reports the diagnosis and treatment process of two cases of ectopic pancreas in our hospital, to increase awareness regarding the occurrence of ectopic pancreas and provide guidance for making the correct diagnosis in a timely manner.