Peri-Ampullary Tumour; An Unusual Cause of Upper Gastrointestinal Bleeding

Abstract

Periampullary tumors are cancers that arise in the region of the around the ampulla of Vater, where the bile duct and pancreatic duct converge and empty into the small intestine. This region is very critical for digestive enzyme and bile secretions. This may be associated with slow disease progression, age related changes delayed onset of symptoms and lack of screening and diagnostic facilities. These tumours can be challenging to diagnose and manage due to their proximity to several vital structures. Upper gastrointestinal bleeding may be a rare clinical presentation following tumoral ulceration, erosion into blood vessels or nearby structures or secondary complications like pancreatitis or portal hypertension. Identifying the anatomical origin of these malignancies is usually a herculean task. This will require prompt oesophagogastroduodenoscopy and imaging to determine the source and appropriate management. This is especially true given the region's transitional character, closeness to various structures, and overlapping features among them. We present periampullary tumour an unusual cause of upper gastrointestinal bleeding in a resource limited setting. A52 year old Nigerian male was admitted at the Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital, Sokoto for evaluation following a 3 months history of progressive weight loss, generalized body weakness and a burning and occasionally colicky, persistent, non-radiating epigastric pain, loss of appetite, easy fatiguability, occasional dizziness and recurrent non-projectile post-prandial non-billous vomiting. Though he had no hematemesis, he had history of passage of malaena. The patient was fully conscious on admission, pale, wasted with a markedly tender epigstric region. He was tachycardic with a minimal elevation in blood pressure level of 138/94mmHg. He had an international normalized ratio (INR) of 1.0. Oesophagogastroduodenoscopy was performed which showed a polypoid fungating mass at the1st extending to the 2nd part of the duodenum. A Computerized Tomogram scan of the abdomen showed a diffuse circumferential duodenal wall thickening of 1st and 2nd parts (more in 2nd part) with reduction in luminal calibre of duodenum and mildly dilated pancreatic, common bile, common hepatic ducts. Multiple biopsies were taken for histology which showed moderately differentiated aadenocarcinoma. Surface epithelium composed of columnar epithelial cells which can be seen in the top right of the image below with an invasive tumour, seen infiltrating the lamina propria in the lower left. He went on to have an exploratory laparotomy with triple bypass involving a side to side gastrojejunal anastomosis and cholecystojejunostomy and entero-enterotomy folowing which he went on to receive chemotherapy. As of the time of this write up the patient has recuperated well following his treatment.