Pancreatico-duodenectomy for complicated groove pancreatitis

Objectives. Groove pancreatitis (GP) describes a form of segmental pancreatitis, which affects the pancreatic head at the interface with the duodenum, and is frequently associated with ectopic pancreatic tissue in the duodenal wall. We present a series of symptomatic patients with complicated GP who underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy, and review the diagnostic challenges, imaging modalities, pathological features and clinical outcome of this rare condition. Patients and methods. This was a prospective case base study of clinical, radiological and pathological data collected between the years 2000 and 2005 on patients diagnosed with severe GP - confirmed by histopathological examination following pancreaticoduodenectomy. Results. In total 11 patients were included, presenting with chronic abdominal pain (n= 11), gastric outlet obstruction (n= 5) and jaundice (n= 1). Exocrine dysfunction with associated weight loss (median > 9 kg) was present in 10 patients, and type 2 diabetes in 2 patients. Radiological imaging (CT/MRCP/EUS) provided complementary investigations and correlated well with classic histopathological findings (duodenal wall thickening, mucosal irregularity and Brunner's gland hyperplasia, duodenal wall cysts and pancreatic heterotropia). Following pancreaticoduodenectomy (median follow-up period 52 weeks) all patients experienced significant pain alleviation and weight gain (average 3 kg at 2 months). Conclusion. Pancreaticoduodenectomy is associated with significant improvements in weight gain and alleviates the chronic pain associated with severe GP.