COVID-19-Related Acalculous Groove Pancreatitis.

Groove pancreatitis is a rare form of chronic pancreatitis. Its radiological diagnosis is challenging and it can be difficult to distinguish from pancreaticoduodenal malignancy. A 64-year-old woman was admitted to our internal medicine ward after she contracted severe COVID-19 pneumonia requiring mechanical ventilation. She presented with right upper abdominal pain, and a CT scan showed pancreaticoduodenal inflammatory tissue; malignancy was ruled out. Diagnosing groove pancreatitis is challenging and malignancy must be quickly excluded. No cases of COVID-19-associated groove pancreatitis have been previously described.

Conclusions: Groove or paraduodenal pancreatitis is a rare form of chronic pancreatitis, and usually associated with alcohol use.The differential diagnosis includes pancreaticobiliary and duodenal malignancies.Radiological diagnosis is challenging and treatment is usually supportive.