title: An unusual case of gastric heterotopic pancreas.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Submucosal lesions of the gastrointestinal tract represent a diagnostic challenge for the physician. Endoscopic ultrasonography may provide useful information before deciding on therapeutic strategy.
  
  
  METHODS
  We report on a case of a young female presenting with a large gastric submucosal mass, 32 mm in size. Endoscopic ultrasonography identified a non-homogeneous lesion, with three cystic spaces suggesting a degenerated gastrointestinal stromal tumor. An exploratory laparoscopy was performed. Surprisingly, the final diagnosis was gastric heterotopic pancreas.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Heterotopic pancreas should always be kept in mind when facing extramucosal gastric masses, especially in young people. A perioperative biopsy is recommended to prevent unnecessary extensive surgery.
authors.affiliation: Division of Clinical Pathology, Clinic of Digestive Surgery, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Rubbia-Brandt
authors.forename: Olivier
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Huber
authors.forename: Antoine
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hadengue
authors.forename: Jean Louis
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Frossard
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002828:Choristoma / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004415:Dyspepsia / Q000209:etiology; D019160:Endosonography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy; D010179:Pancreas; D013272:Stomach Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D013274:Stomach Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed