[Groove pancreatitis--case report].

Groove pancreatitis is an uncommon type of chronic pancreatitis. Most patients with groove pancreatitis are middle-aged men, smokers with excessive alcohol consumption. The describing patient is male admitted to hospital for fourth time during last six months because of recurrent abdominal pain, vomiting and lost weight. He has abused an alcohol in the history. The preliminary diagnosis of chronic pancreatitis was made. During hospitalization it was ordinated spasmolitic and analgesic therapy, antibiotic and enteral nutrition. The result of the implemented conservative therapy was successful, but the symptoms recurrented in very short period of time. Due to lack of long term improvement, patient was treated by pancreatoduodenectomy (Whipple's operation). The postoperative material was assessed by the patologist, and it was described focal chronic inflammation of the head of pancreas with fibrosis involving the wall of the duodenum. To diagnose groove pancreatitis in this case many diagnostic test, including endoscopy, imaging were required, but the histopathology was crucial. The patients should be diagnosed very carefully, because of the risk of the overlook of the cancer, which can be very similar in symptoms. The operation is recommended therapy in situation when improvement is short-period, with frequent recurrences or additional examination are uncertain.