Groove pancreatitis, an illustration of two cases

Abstract

Groove pancreatitis is a form of chronic pancreatitis affecting the pancreatoduodenal groove between the head of pancreas, duodenum and common bile duct. The aetiology of groove pancreatitis is unknown. Possible causes include functional obstruction of the minor papilla, stasis of pancreatic secretion in the dorsal pancreas and Brunner gland hyperplasia. Imaging findings include hypointense lesion in the groove area, thickened duodenal wall with cystic change, and smooth, tapered narrowing of the common bile duct and downstream pancreatic duct. A confident preoperative diagnosis is difficult and patients often undergo surgery ultimately to exclude a malignancy or for ineffective conservative..