Periampullary Neuroendocrine Tumor as a Cause of Acute Pancreatitis

BACKGROUND Duodenal and ampullary carcinoids are very rare tumors accounting respectively for 2% and 0.03% of all carcinoid tumors. Clinical findings vary according to the location of the tumor within the periampullary region; with epigastric pain being the most common presenting symptom in duodenal carcinoids and jaundice the most common clinical finding in ampullary carcinoids. Treatment options include pancreaticoduodenectomy, local excision, and endoscopic excision. CASE REPORT In this case report, we present a 60-year-old male who presented with a one-week history of intractable epigastric pain. He was diagnosed with duodenal periampullary carcinoid tumor and treated with local excision. CONCLUSIONS Although duodenal and ampullary carcinoid tumors may have different clinical presentations, as well as histochemistry characteristics and metastatic potential, they appear to benefit from the same surgical treatment.