Brunner Gland Cyst: Two Cases of a Rare Entity and Review of the Literature

Abstract

Objective: Brunner gland cysts are rare with only 14 cases reported in the literature. The term
has been used to consolidate the following entities: Brunner’s gland cyst, cystic Brunner’s
gland hamartoma, Brunner’s gland cystadenoma and mucocele of the Brunner gland.
Methods: We present the clinico-pathological features of two cases of Brunner gland cyst along
with a review of the literature.
Results: Brunner gland cyst affects slightly more men than women. The age range is 30 to 72
years with an average of 55 years. The lesions range from 1 to 5 cm in size, the average being
2.3 cm in greatest dimension. The majority of lesions are found incidentally in patients with
symptoms not specifically related to the lesion. They affect predominantly the first and second
portion of duodenum. The majority of the lesions are single and pedunculated filling the submucosa.
They can be unilocular or contain multiple cysts divided by fine septae. The epithelial
lining is of columnar and clear cells with basally located nuclei.
Conclusion: Brunner gland cysts are benign lesions that are usually not diagnosed pre-operatively.
The cases described here add awareness of this entity among pathologists and gastroenterologists
allowing for a better recognition of this rare entity.