Gastroesophageal junction pancreatic heterotopia/metaplasia: a case series

TL;DR

This paper reports four rare cases of pancreatic tissue at the gastroesophageal junction, highlighting the importance of recognizing this condition for proper treatment.

Contribution

The study contributes a case series of pancreatic heterotopia at the gastroesophageal junction with associated clinical findings.

Findings

Four patients presented with gastrointestinal symptoms and were found to have ectopic pancreatic tissue.

Two patients had mild chronic inflammation, one had chronic gastritis and reflux esophagitis, and one had intestinal metaplasia.

Three patients were treated with proton pump inhibitors and monitored, while one was lost to follow-up.

Abstract

Gastroesophageal junction pancreatic heterotopia is an uncommon congenital condition where pancreatic tissue is present outside its normal anatomical location. We present a case series of four patients who have presented with nonspecific, vague gastrointestinal symptoms that included abdominal pain, dyspepsia, and heartburn. Endoscopy was performed and revealed irregular Z-lines in three out of the four patients, with high suspicion of Barrett’s esophagus. Further histopathologic evaluation confirmed ectopic pancreatic tissue in all four patients, two of whom had mild chronic inflammation, another presented with chronic gastritis as well as reflux esophagitis, and the last patient exhibited intestinal metaplasia. Also, three patients were treated with proton pump inhibitors and were kept under constant surveillance, while one patient was lost to follow-up. Pancreatic heterotopia involving the gastroesophageal junction is a rare presentation that usually goes unnoticed due to its asymptomatic nature. It is important that clinicians recognize such presentations to provide optimal treatment.

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