Symptomatic jejunal ectopic pancreas presenting as intestinal obstruction: a case report

Ectopic pancreas is a rare condition where pancreatic tissue develops outside its normal location, often remaining asymptomatic. We present a case of a 45-year-old woman with type 2 diabetes and hypertension who presented with postprandial abdominal pain, projectile vomiting, and constipation, clinically suggestive of intestinal obstruction. Computed tomography revealed jejunal wall thickening, raising suspicion of a neoplastic lesion. Exploratory laparotomy identified a 4 cm sessile mass in the jejunum, which was resected. Histopathology confirmed ectopic pancreatic tissue (Type I) with acini, ducts, and islets in the submucosa and muscularis, causing luminal narrowing. The patient recovered well after surgery, with complete symptom resolution. This case highlights ectopic pancreas as a rare but important differential for small bowel obstruction, requiring histopathological confirmation for definitive diagnosis. Surgical resection remains the treatment of choice for symptomatic cases.