Striving to be the most comprehensive online resource for high-quality pathology images

 

Heterotopic Pancreas : Microscopic

prev  
slide 4 of 15
next
No Image
Pancreas_Heterotopia14.jpg

Close

Comments:
Microscopic Features: Heterotopic pancreas consists of an admixture of pancreatic acini, ducts, and islet cells in varying proportions, based on which it is subdivided into four Heinrich types:

type I - total heterotopia; all cell types present; resembles normal pancreas; most common type
type II - canalicular heterotopia, ducts only; consists of lobular arrangement of small ducts and ductules surrounded by smooth muscle fascicles; resembles adenomyoma
type III - exocrine heterotopia; acinar tissue only
type IV - endocrine heterotopia; islet cells only; may resemble neuroendocrine tumor; rare

Given the location of heterotopic pancreatic tissue in the submucosa and muscularis propria, the superficial biopsies containing only mucosa may not be diagnostic. Immunohistochemical staining for endocrine markers (insulin, glucagon, somatostatin) or pancreatic exocrine markers (trypsin, chymotrypsin, lipase, amylase) is rarely needed for diagnosis.

About this image: This image shows heterotopic pancreatic tissue in stomach. Gastric mucosa is on the left, pancreas is on the right, and the black pigmented tissue in the submucosa in the middle is the result of tattoo placed by the endoscopist to mark the site of the lesion for subsequent surgical management.

Image courtesy of: Sanjay Mukhopadhyay, MD.

prev
slide 4 of 15
next