Cystic dystrophy of the duodenal wall: case report and literature review

Cystic dystrophy of the duodenal wall (CDDW) is an uncommon pathological condition that may be a cause of symptomatic duodenal mass in some patients. CDDW and closely related conditions that involve the duodenal wall and the pancreatoduodenal groove have gone by a variety names in the literature. Though their pathophysiology is not fully understood, they are thought to be due to the presence of heterotopic pancreatic tissue that undergoes a degenerative process. A multimodal imaging approach paired with biopsy is often employed to rule out malignancy in these patients. This case report provides an account of the radiological and pathological findings that helped lead to the diagnosis of CDDW. A review of relevant literature and a discussion of the presented case are provided. •Cystic dystrophy of the duodenal wall (CDDW) is a rare cause of duodenal mass that may mimic malignancy.•However, CDDW is a benign entity which can have variable imaging features.•Diagnosis should be made in conjunction with characteristic FNA findings to avoid unnecessary surgery.