Ectopic Pancreatic Tissue in the Gallbladder

Abstract

Background: Ectopic pancreatic tissue, also referred to as heterotopic pancreas, is defined as the presence of pancreatic tissue in an organ outside the pancreas. Ectopic pancreatic tissue, a rare embryologic abnormality, has been reported in the stomach, duodenum, colon, and Meckel diverticulum and is usually discovered incidentally. Case Report: We report a case of ectopic pancreatic tissue in the gallbladder of a 37-year-old female who underwent a cholecystectomy after a clinical diagnosis of chronic cholecystitis. Histopathologic findings were chronic cholecystitis with cholesterolosis and pyloric metaplasia. The gallbladder wall showed ectopic pancreatic tissue composed of acini, ducts, and islets of Langerhans. The histopathologic examination confirmed the diagnosis of ectopic pancreatic tissue. Conclusion: Making a preoperative diagnosis of ectopic pancreatic tissue is clinically and radiologically challenging. Meticulous histopathologic examination is required for the diagnosis of this rare condition.