CT features of gastric heterotopic pancreas

Objective: To analyze CT findings correlated with pathologic findings in ectopic pancreas of the stomach. Methods: CT scans of 15 surgically proven eases of ectopic pancreas of the stomach were reviewed, and enhanced CT scan was performed in 11 cases. CT findings were correlated with the pathologic findings. Results: All cases had single lesion, and all lesions showed homogeneous density on plain scans without cystic or malignant changes. The size ranged from 1.3 to 3.1 cm, with mean diameter of (1.9±0.2) cm. The lesions were round or oval in shape with broad base against the gastric wall. Two showed central umbilication sign. Only 2 cases were correctly diagnosed prior to operation and the rest were misdiagnosed or diagnosed indistinctly. The locations were in the gastric antrum in 11 cases, in the body in 3, and in fundus in one; The ectopic pancreas located in the greater curvature in 10, and in the lesser curvature in 5. Homogeneous or inhomogeneous strong enhancement similar to the pancreas was seen in 8 cases and they consisted mainly of pancreatic acini with the same histologic features as the pancreas. Three cases showed poor enhancement and consisted mainly of ducts and hypertrophied muscle, pancreatic acini were a minor component. Conclusion: Ectopic pancreas of the stomach showed characteristic locations with the findings of submucosal diseases. Different enhancing patterns were correlated with their pathologic findings. (authors)