Heterotopic pancreas in the stomach: CT findings

PURPOSE: To describe the computed tomographic (CT) findings of heterotopic pancreas in the stomach. MATERIALS AND METHODS: CT findings in 12 patients with heterotopic pancreas in the stomach were reviewed. Surgical resection (n = 11) or endoscopic ex cision (n = 1) was performed in cases of symptomatic heterotopic pancreas ( n = 4) suspected submucosal tumors (n = 7), and gastric carcinoma (n = 1). Seven patients underwent helical CT with water as an oral contrast agent; f ive underwent nonhelical CT with water-soluble contrast material. RESULTS; Nine heterotopic pancreata were in the antrum and one each was in the body, fundus; and perigastric fat. Seven lesions were on the greater cu rvature aspect; five, on the lesser curvature aspect. Common CT findings we re well-defined oval or round masses with smooth or serrated margins in the gastric antral wall. Four of the seven lesions in which helical CT was per formed enhanced similarly to normal pancreas. Preoperatively, CT depicted 1 1 of the 12 lesions, but CT findings were interpreted correctly as heteroto pic pancreas in only two; the remaining 10 were misinterpreted as other les ions. Atypical findings were cystic dilatation of heterotopic pancreatic, d uct in two, unusual location in the fundus or perigastric fat in two, and m alignant transformation in one. CONCLUSION: CT findings of heterotopic pancreas in the stomach appear to be nonspecific for diagnosis, except for location.