Bowel obstruction secondary to an ectopic pancreas in the small bowels: About 2 cases

Ectopic pancreas is most commonly found in the jejunum and stomach. Most patients remain asymptomatic, and the diagnosis is usually made at autopsy or incidentally. We report here 2 cases of intestinal occlusion, secondary to an ectopic pancreatic tissue. Both cases were managed successfully by laparoscopy and laparotomy with subsequent segmental intestinal resection.

Case 1 - An elderly patient presented to the ER because of intestinal occlusion. Paraclinical investigations were consistent with occlusion, with ileal suffering signs on CT-scan. After laparotomy and segmental intestinal resection were done, histopathalogy showed evidence of ectopic pancreas obstructing the intestinal lumen. Case 2 - A young man presented to the ER with acute onset of epigastric pain. signs of peritoneal irritation. Ct-scan showed evidence of small bowel intussusception. Exploratory laparoscopy was done, and confirmed the diagnosis. The intussusceptum was at the level of the proximal jejunum. The suffering intestinal part was exteriorized and then resected. Histopathology was consistent with an ectopic pancreas.

Symptomatic ectopic pancreas is extremely rare. Symptoms may include, bleeding, intestinal occlusion and intussusception. Few similar cases have been reported in the literature, and the current ones are to be added.

As mentioned above, ectopic pancreatic tissue rarely causes symptoms. We presented 2 cases that presented 2 possible complications secondary to this pathology. Both cases were managed successfully.