Groove Pancreatitis: A Description of Four Cases and Literature Review

Groove pancreatitis is a rare form of chronic pancreatitis, affecting the area between the duodenum, common bile duct and pancreatic head. The pathophysiology of groove pancreatitis is unclear, and several mechanisms have been proposed. This disease can mimic duodenal, pancreatic or periampular neoplasms. We present a series of 4 patients diagnosed of groove pancreatitis at a tertiary medical center over a 3-year period. Three of the patients were surgically treated, recovering weight and removing pain. The other one was treated with medical treatment. Same results were observed. Brief review of the literature was performed.