Iron deficiency anemia due to a Brunner's gland hamartoma

Abstract

Brunner's gland hamartomas are rare benign duodenal tumors often discovered incidentally during endoscopy or on an upper gastrointestinal series. These tumors arise mainly in the duodenal bulb and can present with gastrointestinal bleeding or symptoms of intestinal obstruction. When symptomatic, surgical or endoscopic removal can be safely performed and the prognosis is very good. We describe a 63-year-old man presenting with iron deficiency anemia due to a large Brunner's gland hamartoma and review the endoscopic, radiologic, surgical, and pathologic findings.