ABERRANT PANCREAS: A CAUSE OF DUODENAL SYNDROME

Abstract

The anomaly of aberrant pancreas of the duodenum has been inadequately studied and is of sufficient clinical importance to merit more than passing interest. A consideration of this subject was stimulated by our autopsy experience concerning the high incidence of pancreatic tissue observed in the duodenum. There also seems to be a compelling need for the elucidation of the clinical significance of this condition, especially when it involves the duodenum. The accessory pancreas is a common anomalous embryological development, apparently occurring with greater frequency than may be inferred from a survey of the literature. According to the literature its incidence is comparatively low. In recorded studies the incidence varied from 0.04% to 2%. In 1,970 autopsies Duff and co-workers¹ found 21 instances of aberrant pancreatic tissue, an incidence of 1%. In our 410 autopsy studies an unusually high incidence of this condition was observed, especially in the duodenum. In