A case of arteriovenous malformation in the pancreas with multiple gastric and duodenal ulcers and pancreatitis

A 42-year-old man visited another clinic complaining of upper abdominal pain. Gastrointestinal endoscopy revealed multiple gastric and duodenal ulcers. In our hospital an abdominal CT scan demonstrated a remarkably high attenuation area in the pancreas head, which was described as flow void on abdominal MRI. We diagnosed it as arteriovenous malformation (AVM) in the pancreas. Subsequently, an operation (pancreaticoduodenectomy) was performed, and the symptoms disappeared. Pancreatic AVM is a very rare disease. Because CT angiography can demonstrate the details of AVM clearly, conventional angiography may not be always necessary. When conditions are appropriate, surgical treatment is recommended.