A case of aberrant pancreas in the mesentery of the small intestine, detected incidentally during surgery for colorectal cancer

• Published in: Nihon Rinsho Geka Gakkai Zasshi (Journal of Japan Surgical Association) Vol. 73; no. 9; pp. 2383 - 2386
• Main Authors: SATOU, Masahiko, NEGAMI, Naoki, YAMADA, Masaki, ISHIDO, Yasunori, WATABE, Suguru, SAITOU, Tetsuya
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: Japanese
• Published: Japan Surgical Association 2012
• Subjects: abdominal surgery; aberrant pancreas; mesentery of the small intestine
• ISSN: 1345-2843; 1882-5133
• DOI: 10.3919/jjsa.73.2383

We report a case of multiple primary carcinomas of the rectum and sigmoid colon with aberrant pancreas in the mesentery of the small intestine. A 60-year-old man was admitted to our hospital due to colonic obstruction. Emergency computed tomography (CT) and colonoscopy showed evidence of tumors in the rectum and sigmoid colon. A colostomy was performed as a temporary measure. After the patient was discharged from the hospital to prepare for the curative operation, he was again hospitalized due to adhesive intestinal obstruction. A second operation showed an ileus due to a band at the jejunum (approximately 40 cm distal to the ligament of Treitz) and a firm nodule(25 mm) in the mesentery nearby. The nodule was highly suggestive of mesenteric dissemination of the carcinomas ; however, aberrant pancreas was confirmed in a specimen obtained intraoperatively. Detachment of the adhesive intestine and low anterior resection were performed. The nodule was subsequently diagnosed as aberrant pancreas (Heinrich type I).