An Alarming but Benign Appearance, A Case of Pseudomelanosis Duodeni

A 77-year-old woman with hypertension, hyperlipidemia, diabetes mellitus, and hypothyroidism presented with a complaint of epigastric pain. An esophagogastroduodenoscopy was performed that showed a deep ulcerated mass in the antrum covered in old heme with biopsy specimens consistent with an adenocarcinoma. The duodenal bulb and second portion of the duodenum showed a speckled highly pigmented black pattern in the wall of the duodenum (Figures A and B). Duodenal biopsy specimens showed focal pigmented macrophages in the lamina propria consistent with pseudomelanosis duodeni.
Source: Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology - Category: Gastroenterology Authors: Tags: Electronic Image of the Month Source Type: research