[Duodenal adenoma--a rare cause of upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage]

The tumors of the small bowel are rare entities, whose incidence comprises ca. 1-5% of the total amount of tumors in the digestive tract. Most of the cases involve the ileum and duodenum is least involved. The most frequently encountered duodenal tumors are the Brunner's Gland Adenomas. We can encounter unique or multiple lesions, sessile or pedunculated which develop proximal to duodenal papilla and are usually less than 1 cm in diameter although 12 cm lesions have been reported. In most of the cases they remain asymptomatic and constitute incidental discoveries. Sometimes they can present complications such as obstruction, hemorrhage and malignant transformation. Diagnosis is difficult due to the lack of symptoms and is delayed by an average of 6 months from symptoms onset. Barium contrast studies and superior digestive endoscopy is performed in most of the cases to reveal the diagnosis, but other methods, such as CT or ultrasound can be useful. A case of duodenal adenoma is described; the patient was admitted suffering digestive hemorrhage, which resulted in melena, secondary anemia, and ulcerous dyspeptic syndrome.