CYSTIC DYSTROPHY OF HETEROTOPIC PANCREAS

Cystic dystrophy of heterotopic pancreas (CDHP) is a rare condition. T he cystic tissue is virtually always located in the duodenal wall, cau sing digestive tract obstruction and pain. Six cases in young males (m ean age 40 years) managed since 1989 are reported. The diagnosis was e stablished by computed tomography and/or endoscopic ultrasonography. A ll six patients underwent resection of the lesion, which required ceph alic pancreatectomy in five cases. There were no deaths. The symptoms resolved in five patients; one patient, an alcoholic, had persistent p ain. The diagnosis of CDHP can always be established preoperatively. S urgical excision is the best treatment.