Brunner's Gland Hamartoma: Computed Tomographic Findings with Histopathologic Correlation in 9 Cases

Objective: To describe the computed tomographic (CT) features of Brunner's gland hamartoma with histopathologic correlation.

Methods: The CT images of 9 patients with pathologically proven Brunner's gland hamartoma were reviewed retrospectively. All patients underwent CT performed on multidetector-row CT scanner with various protocols, all of which included portal venous phase.

Results: Brunner's gland hamartomas presented as small (mean, 1.9 cm) Yamada type II or III (67%, 6/9) polyps with frequent internal cyst (33%, 3/9). They were isoattenuated on unenhanced CT (83%, 5/6) and hypoattenuated in portal phase (56%, 5/9) when compared with the pancreas. Peripheral rimlike enhancement in earlier phase was commonly found (67%, 6/9) and most of them enhanced homogeneously in the later phase (100%, 4/4).

Conclusions: In a patient with asymptomatic small submucosal mass in the duodenal first or second portion, hypoattenuated mass with peripheral rimlike enhancement or internal cystic change suggests the possibility of Brunner's gland hamartoma.