J Korean Surg Soc.  2011 May;80(5):342-347. 10.4174/jkss.2011.80.5.342.

Characteristic clinical and pathologic features for preoperative diagnosed groove pancreatitis

• Kim JD
• Han YS
• Choi DL

• KMID: 2212159
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4174/jkss.2011.80.5.342

Abstract

PURPOSE
Groove pancreatitis is a rare specific form of chronic pancreatitis that extends into the anatomical area between the pancreatic head, the duodenum, and the common bile duct, which are referred to as the groove areas. We present the diagnostic modalities, pathological features and clinical outcomes of a series of symptomatic patients with groove pancreatitis who underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy.
METHODS
Six patients undergoing pancreaticoduodenectomy between May 2006 and May 2009 due to a clinical diagnosis of symptomatic groove pancreatitis were retrospectively included in the study.
RESULTS
Five cases were male and one case was female, with a median age at diagnosis of 50 years. Their chief complaints were abdominal pain and vomiting. Abdominal computed tomography, endoscopic ultrasound and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography were performed. Preoperative diagnosis of all patients was groove pancreatitis. Histological finding was compatible with clinically diagnosed groove pancreatitis in five patients and the pathologic diagnosis of the remaining patient was adenocarcinoma of distal common bile duct. Following pancreaticoduodenectomy, four living patients experienced significant pain alleviation.
CONCLUSION
The diagnostic imaging modalities of choice for groove pancreatitis are computed tomography and endoscopic ultrasonography. If symptomatic groove pancreatitis is suspected, careful follow-up of patients is necessary and pancreaticoduodenectomy seems to be a reasonable treatment option.

Keyword

Pancreaticoduodenal groove; Pancreatitis; Chronic disease; Pancreatic cancer; Pancreaticoduodenectomy

MeSH Terms

Abdominal Pain
Adenocarcinoma
Cholangiopancreatography, Endoscopic Retrograde
Chronic Disease
Common Bile Duct
Diagnostic Imaging
Duodenum
Endosonography
Female
Head
Humans
Male
Pancreatic Neoplasms
Pancreaticoduodenectomy
Pancreatitis
Pancreatitis, Chronic
Retrospective Studies
Vomiting