Isolated perforation of a duodenal diverticulum following blunt abdominal trauma

Only 10% of duodenal diverticula are symptomatic. We present the case of a man who fell from a height of 6 ft, landing on his abdomen and presenting 4 h later with severe back pain and a rigid abdomen. At laparotomy, a perforated retroperitoneal duodenal diverticulum was found and repaire...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Metcalfe Matthew, Rashid Tanwir, Bird Richard le
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications 2010-01-01
Series:Journal of Emergencies, Trauma and Shock
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.onlinejets.org/article.asp?issn=0974-2700;year=2010;volume=3;issue=1;spage=79;epage=81;aulast=Metcalfe
Description
Summary:Only 10% of duodenal diverticula are symptomatic. We present the case of a man who fell from a height of 6 ft, landing on his abdomen and presenting 4 h later with severe back pain and a rigid abdomen. At laparotomy, a perforated retroperitoneal duodenal diverticulum was found and repaired with an omental patch. No other injury was noted. Not only is this perforation unusual, but the absence of other injuries sustained during this minor blunt trauma makes this case unique. This case highlights the need for a high index of suspicion when managing patients with back or abdominal pain following minor trauma.
ISSN:0974-2700
0974-519X