Brunner Gland Hamartomas-Uncommon Presentations and Endoscopic Management

Area of Science:

• Gastroenterology
• Surgical Pathology

Background:

• Brunner gland hamartomas (BGH) are rare benign tumors of the duodenum.
• They can present with vague symptoms, leading to diagnostic challenges.

Observation:

• Large BGHs may manifest as iron deficiency anemia (IDA) or intestinal obstruction.
• Barium swallow can visualize the lesion, but endoscopy is the preferred diagnostic and therapeutic tool.
• This case report reviews uncommon presentations and the endoscopic management of large BGHs.

Findings:

• Endoscopic evaluation is crucial for diagnosing BGH, especially in cases of occult bleeding or obstruction.
• Endoscopic resection by trained experts is a viable treatment option for large BGHs.

Implications:

• Clinicians, particularly internists, should consider BGH in the differential diagnosis of patients with unexplained bleeding or obstruction.
• Early diagnosis and endoscopic management can prevent complications associated with large BGHs.