The Turkish Journal of Pediatrics
2010 , Vol 52 , Num 3
Double Heterotopic Pancreas and Meckel’s Diverticulum in a Child: Do They Have a Common Origin?
Units of 1Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, and 3Pathology, Department of Pediatrics, and
2Department of Pediatric Surgery, Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey
Heterotopic pancreatic tissue consists of normally differentiated pancreatic
tissue without a real anatomic and vascular connection to the pancreas,
whereas Meckel’s diverticulum is one of the most important cause of lower
gastrointestinal bleeding in children. Although heterotopic pancreatic tissue
is related to various gastrointestinal diseases/malformations in both humans
and animals, it is rarely associated with Meckel’s diverticulum. Herein, we
report a five-year old boy who presented with melena and hematochezia,
which were discovered to be the result of Meckel’s diverticulum. He also had
multiple heterotopic pancreatic tissues in various parts of the gastrointestinal
tract. The reason for this association is not known, but might involve some
abnormalities of signaling molecules expressed in the development of the
gastrointestinal tract and associated organs. In clinical practice, it is important
to remember that Meckel’s diverticulum and heterotopic pancreatic tissue might
occur together or accompany various other gastrointestinal anomalies.D
Keywords :
child, heterotopic pancreas, Meckel’s diverticulum, embryology.