Advances in the diagnosis and treatment of heterotopic pancreas

Core Tip

Core Tip: Heterotopic pancreas is rare, and its clinical presentation lacks specificity, posing challenges in diagnosis and differential diagnosis. Endoscopic ultrasound, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging are the predominant diagnostic methods used for heterotopic pancreas. However, the diagnostic accuracy based on these imaging techniques is not consistently high, often necessitating histopathological confirmation. Clinicians should possess a thorough understanding of the clinical symptoms and imaging findings associated with this condition, as well as the key factors differentiating from other gastrointestinal disorders. Treatment strategies, such as endoscopic resection, surgical resection, or close monitoring, should be tailored based on comprehensive assessments considering factors such as the location, size, and clinical manifestations of heterotopic pancreas.