Unexpected cause for duodenal obstruction: Brunner's gland hyperplasia.

We report an unusual case of large Brunner's gland hyperplasia in 72-years old man, admitted to hospital for epigastric pain, recurrent vomiting and significantly weight loss. Upper endoscopy showed an obstructive submucosis tumour of the bulb. Abdominal computed tomography scan revealed a circumferential thickening and stenosing mass of the first part of the duodenum leading to severe obstruction. Though pre-operative biopsies were negative, imaging studies and endoscopy were strongly suggestive of malignancy and the patient underwent duodenocephalopancreatectomy. Brunner's gland hyperplasia may have unusual presentation, mimicking malignancy. Therefore, extensive pre-operative evaluation, including repetitive tumor biopsies, is necessary to avoid radical surgical procedure. PMID: 29449737 [PubMed - in process]
Source: Pathologica - Category: Pathology Tags: Pathologica Source Type: research