Cystic dystrophy of the duodenal wall: A rare but need-to-know disease

Cystic dystrophy of the duodenal wall (CDDW) is a serious but uncommon complication of heterotopic pancreatic tissue characterized by increased duodenal wall thickness associated with intraparietal cystic lesions. It is mainly observed in middle-aged male patients with alcoholic chronic pancreatitis. Clinical symptoms are usually nonspecific and it is important to take them into account in patients with the abovementioned history. Imaging techniques have been useful for diagnosis, especially endoscopic ultrasound (EUS), to visualize cystic lesions in the wall. There is some controversy regarding treatment, because although good results have been obtained with surgical techniques, the recent emergence of EUS-guided drainages has also achieved acceptable results and they are suggested as a good alternative to traditional surgery. Following is our experience in the diagnosis and treatment of four patients with CDDWs; all of whom had a history of alcoholism and smoking, and were studied due to clinical signs of abdominal pain and vomiting. EUS was particularly useful in reaching the final diagnosis.