Published online Apr 26, 2020. doi: 10.12998/wjcc.v8.i8.1489
Peer-review started: March 5, 2020
First decision: March 31, 2020
Revised: April 9, 2020
Accepted: April 17, 2020
Article in press: April 17, 2020
Published online: April 26, 2020
Processing time: 50 Days and 4.3 Hours
A teratoma is a germ cell tumor that is composed of tissue derived from two or three germ layers. Duodenal teratomas are extremely rare and have been exclusively reported in neonates and children. This is the third case of a teratoma primarily arising in the duodenum and the first case that occurred in an adult.
A 31-year-old male presented with clinical partial gut obstruction (epigastric pain, nausea, and vomiting). The physical examination showed a palpable ill-defined mass on the left side of the abdomen. The computed tomography scan revealed a multiseptated cystic tumor at the retroperitoneal area. First, he underwent gastrojejunostomy to relieve the symptoms and was referred to a tertiary-care hospital. The second operation revealed a 10-cm solid-cystic mass originating from the third part of the duodenum and adhering to the abdominal aorta and pancreas. Segmental duodenectomy was performed. The pathological diagnosis was a mature cystic teratoma. The patient was asymptomatic at 5 mo after the operation.
Duodenal teratomas are extremely rare but should be included in the differential diagnosis in patients who present with intestinal obstruction. Radiological imaging is helpful to reach the preoperative diagnosis. Multidisciplinary team planning is essential to avoid injury to the adjacent organ in duodenal operation.
Core tip: A duodenal teratoma is a germ cell tumor and has been exclusively reported in neonates and children. We report the first case that occurred in an adult, causing partial intestinal obstruction. Duodenal teratoma is extremely rare, but should be included in the differential diagnosis in patients who presents with upper gastrointestinal tract obstruction. Since there are important structures adjacent to the duodenum, radiological imaging is helpful for preoperative planning. Furthermore, multidisciplinary team planning is essential to avoid incidental injury to vital organ structures.