Heterotopic pancreatic tissue associated with intra- and extrahepatic choledochal cysts.

ABSTRACT

A case report of heterotopic pancreas in intra- and extrahepatic biliary tracts in a 36-year-old female who suffered from intra- and extrahepatic choledochal cysts with an anomalous pancreatobiliary duct system. Histologic examination of the resected specimen showed pancreatic tissues located along the wall of the biliary tract with choledochal cysts. The pancreatic tissue consisted of acinar cells and duct elements without Langerhans' islets; the acinar cells were positive immunohistochemically for alpha-amylase and negative for endocrine hormones. Ultrastructural study revealed zymogen granules in the acinar cells. In the present case the heterotopic exocrine pancreatic tissue seems to be etiologically related to choledochal cysts as well as to the anomalous arrangement of the pancreatobiliary duct.