Jejunal Polyps out of Place: A Case of Gastric Heterotopia of the Jejunum

Abstract EN

Heterotopia is the presence of normal physiologic tissue in an atypical location.

Gastric heterotopia has been described in various locations throughout the gastrointestinal tract, including the small intestine.

Gastric heterotopia of the small intestine typically is asymptomatic but may present in several ways with symptoms of obstruction, bleeding, perforation, intussusception, or pain.

However, gastric heterotopia is rare beyond the duodenum except for its frequent association with Meckel’s diverticulum.

This entity should be considered in the differential diagnosis of polypoid lesions presenting with symptoms of bleeding or obstruction especially in younger patients.

We present a case of gastric heterotopia of the jejunum in a patient with a prior history of Meckel’s diverticulectomy after he presented with obstructive symptoms.

His symptoms improved following resection of two jejunal polyps via antegrade double-balloon assisted enteroscopy with fluoroscopy.

On histopathlogical examination, findings were consistent with gastric heterotopia.

This case highlights the importance of considering gastric heterotopia in the differential diagnosis of polypoid lesions located beyond the ligament of Treitz in younger patients presenting with obstructive symptoms.