Navigating the Groove: A Unique Case of Groove Pancreatitis

Groove pancreatitis (GP) is an uncommon form of chronic pancreatitis (CP) that affects the area between the duodenum, the head of the pancreas, and the common bile duct (CBD), which is known as the pancreaticoduodenal groove. Our case is based on a 68-year-old male with a past medical history of alcohol use disorder and a 50-pack-year smoking history who presented with nausea, vomiting, and poor oral intake. Computed tomography (CT) of the abdomen and pelvis showed gastric outlet obstruction due to a 6.0 cm mass in the pancreatic groove and the second portion of the duodenum, with dilation of the pancreatic, intrahepatic, and extrahepatic biliary ducts. In order to rule out malignancy and evaluate the acute symptoms, the patient underwent an open pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD). Pathologic findings and negative tumor markers confirmed GP. This case highlights a rare form of CP that symptomatically and radiographically mimics malignancy, but is benign.