ADENOCARCINOMA OF DUODENUM AT THE DUODENOJEJUNAL FLEXURE

Abstract

ADENOCARCINOMA OF DUODENUM AT THE DUODENOJEJUNAL FLEXURE (Abstract): Adenocarcinoma of the duodenum is an exceedingly rare condition representing not more than 0.3% to 0.4% of all gastrointestinal tract cancers. Clinical presentation is usually due to partial or complete obstruction of the duodenum. Computed tomography scan has a high accuracy in detecting metastatic spread to stage the disease. CASE REPORT: A 60 year woman presented with chief complaints of persistent bilious projectile vomiting containing undigested food material and pain in the upper abdomen since 6 months. Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy up to 2 nd part of duodenum revealed no abnormality. Contrast enhanced computed tomography (CECT) scan of abdomen showed a dilated stomach and duodenal dilatation up to 4 th part along with a concentric growth seen in the fourth part of duodenum at the duodenojejunal flexure, and multiple retroperitoneal lymph-adenopathy. Exploratory laparotomy revealed a tumor of the duodenojejunal flexure with dilatation of all the parts of duodenum and stomach. The tumor was seen encasing the superior mesenteric vessels and aorta. A palliative gastro-jejunostomy was performed. Patient had an attack of acute myocardial infarction on post-operative day 6th and expired. Histopathology of the specimen confirmed adenocarcinoma of duodenum. CONCLUSIONS: Adenocarcinoma of duodenojejunal flexure is extremely rare and sometimes difficult to diagnose. Computed tomography scan has a high accuracy in detecting the disease and its metastatic spread to stage the disease. For unresectable tumors, palliative gastro-jejunostomy is the treatment of choice.