Hamartoma of Brunner's glands causing massive haematemesis.

BACKGROUND: Brunner's gland hamartomas are very uncommon lesions and are usually asymptomatic.

METHODS: A 77-year-old man was urgently operated on for massive upper gastrointestinal bleeding, associated with haematemesis.

RESULTS: A 3.5 x 3 x 3 cm mass arising from the anterior aspect of the first part of the duodenum was found. Histologic examination showed groups of Brunner-type glands without atypia; these coexisted with heterotopic pancreatic acini and ducts.

CONCLUSIONS: This is a very rare cause of massive upper gastrointestinal bleeding and may easily be confused with bleeding from a peptic ulcer.