Heterotopic pancreas in the gastrointestinal tract in children: a single-center experience and a review of the literature.

Heterotopic pancreas is usually discovered in the submucosa of the stomach, duodenum and small bowel. Heterotopic tissue may cause symptoms related to mechanical complications, bleeding from the surrounding intestinal mucosa or, occasionally, to the development of malignancy. Heterotopic tissue is a rare but clinically relevant cause of gastrointestinal symptoms. The presence of heterotopic tissue should be considered in children with gastrointestinal symptoms of unclear origin and surgical resection is advisable.