Perforated jejunal diverticula: a case report

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Introduction</p> <p>Jejunal diverticula are rare and are usually asymptomatic. However, they may cause chronic non-specific symptoms or rarely lead to an acute presentation.</p> <p>Case presentation</p> <p>We report the case of...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Collins Christopher G, Butler Joseph S, McEntee Gerard P
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2010-06-01
Series:Journal of Medical Case Reports
Online Access:http://www.jmedicalcasereports.com/content/4/1/172
Description
Summary:<p>Abstract</p> <p>Introduction</p> <p>Jejunal diverticula are rare and are usually asymptomatic. However, they may cause chronic non-specific symptoms or rarely lead to an acute presentation.</p> <p>Case presentation</p> <p>We report the case of an 82-year-old Caucasian woman presenting with a one-day history of generalized abdominal pain, with three episodes of vomiting. An abdominal X-ray displayed multiple dilated loops of the small bowel. A subsequent computed tomography scan of the abdomen and pelvis revealed a thickening of the duodenum and dilatation of the proximal jejunum. Multiple small bowel diverticula were identified with surrounding pockets of free air adjacent to the jejunal diverticula suggestive of a small bowel perforation. Our patient underwent a laparotomy, which identified multiple jejunal diverticula with two pinhole jejunal perforations and associated fecal contamination. The perforations were repaired with primary closure and extensive washout was performed.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Jejunal diverticulosis in the elderly can lead to significant morbidity and mortality and so should be suspected in those presenting with crampy abdominal pain and altered bowel habits.</p>
ISSN:1752-1947