Inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor (IMT) occurring in the pancreas was rare and few clinical cases had been reported. The specificity of clinical presentation of IMT was lacked and its CT imaging manifestations were diverse. The enhanced CT images of a rare patient with IMT of the pancreas with liver metastases were presented to the readers, and the pathophysiological mechanisms associated with the CT imaging manifestations were briefly described, so as to enhance the readers’ understanding and knowledge of the CT imaging manifestations and raise the diagnostic awareness of the disease.
Objective To summarize the imaging manifestation and identification of ectopic pancreas (EP), so as to improve clinicians and radiologists’ knowledge of EP and aid in accurate preoperative diagnosis, thereby reducing the misdiagnosis rate and avoiding unnecessary surgery. Methods Combined with clinical experience and relevant literatures in recent years, the histopathology, common imaging manifestations and main differential diagnosis of ectopic pancreas were summarized. Results EP is a rare congenital developmental anomaly of pancreas, the most common location is the upper digestive system. At present, the commonly used imaging technology is computed tomography. The imaging findings of ectopic pancreas were similar to those of normal pancreas, and its density and enhancement characteristics were related to its histopathological composition. The specific signs of ectopic pancreas include “central umbilical sign” “ductal structure” and “flat/adherent sign”. Heterotopic pancreas should be differentiated from submucosal tumor of gastrointestinal tract. Conclusions The imaging findings of EP have certain characteristics. For some cases with atypical imaging findings, imaging diagnosis is difficult.