A rare case of enlarged gastric heterotopic pancreas with retention cysts: A case report and literature review

INTRODUCTION: Gastric heterotopic pancreas (HP) is usually asymptomatic and benign; however, it may become evident when it is complicated by pathological changes such as inflammation, bleeding, and malignant transformation. PRESENTATION OF CASE: A 43-year old man was diagnosed with gastric HP 18 years prior suffered a haemorrhage from the enlarged gastric HP with multiple cystic lesions. Although endoscopic ultrasonography–guided fine needle aspiration showed no malignancy, he underwent a partial gastrectomy for diagnosis and treatment. Postoperative histological findings revealed ectopic pancreatic tissue with retained cysts that consisted of dilated pancreatic ducts without malignancy. DISCUSSION: This is a first report of enlarged gastric HP due to the expansion of retained cysts. Gastric HP is rarely enlarged by pathological changes including inflammation, retention cysts, or malignant neoplasms. CONCLUSION: Symptomatic enlarged gastric HP should be respected and further examined histologically to ensure diagnostic accuracy.