Duodenal diverticulum and associated pancreatitis: case report with brief review of literature

Periampullary Diverticula Causing Recurrent Pancreatitis: A Case Report

Acute p-ancreatitis (AP) is increasingly rising globally, especially among elderly populations. In many cases, AP can progress to chronic pancreatitis (CP) and cause damage to the pancreas. Common causes of AP include gallstones and alcoholic injury, but periampullary diverticula (PAD) have emerged as a complex etiology. PADs are rare bowel-filled outpouchings located near the main papilla or common bile duct (CBD). In this study, we present a 66-year-old female with recurrent pancreatitis that is caused by a PAD. Due to the paucity of information regarding the management of PADs, we hope this case highlights the need to advance treatment options in this area.

A Rare Presentation of Duodenal Diverticulum Causing Obstructive Jaundice: Lemmel's Syndrome

Lemmel syndrome is an uncommon pancreaticobiliary consequence of duodenal diverticula. We herein present a case of an 80-year-old male who presented with upper abdominal discomfort. Based on lab values and relevant clinical history, a diagnosis of obstructive jaundice was made. A contrast-enhanced CT scan of the abdomen revealed gross dilatation of intra-hepatic and extra-hepatic bile duct, cystic duct, common bile duct, major and minor pancreatic duct. A contrast-filled outpouching was seen from the medial wall of the second part of the duodenum with duodenal diverticulum and papilla within it. The abrupt termination of the common bile duct and main pancreatic duct adjacent to the thickened wall of the diverticulum was the cause of the patient's pancreaticobiliary obstruction. In the absence of cholelithiasis or tumor, the duodenal diverticulum that manifests as obstructive jaundice is known as Lemmel syndrome. Prompt identification of Lemmel syndrome can avoid dangerous complications and unnecessary investigations. Gallstones, cholangitis, and bile duct stones are more common in patients with duodenal diverticula. Treatment depends on patient presentation and may involve conservative management, surgical procedures in the form of excision of the diverticulum, or even endoscopic sphincterotomy or stenting.

Localized Pancreatitis in an Elderly Patient Without Suspected Etiology

Once pancreatic inflammation is triggered, it spreads throughout the pancreas. Here, we present a case of localized pancreatitis wherein the inflammation was confined to the pancreatic head. A 91-year-old woman was admitted with complaints of vomiting and epigastric pain. Blood tests showed elevated pancreatic enzyme levels, whereas imaging studies showed an enlarged pancreatic head and an area of increased density in the surrounding fatty tissue extending along the retroperitoneum below the subrenal pole. Atrophy of the pancreatic parenchyma in the pancreatic body and tail and dilatation of the main pancreatic duct were observed. The patient was diagnosed with acute pancreatitis, was kept nil by mouth, and was administered supplemental fluids. The symptoms resolved within two weeks. Age-related anatomical and histological changes in the pancreas may influence the development of pancreatitis, making it difficult to rule out the possibility of cancer. As age-related changes in the pancreas could lead to the development of pancreatitis, it is an important differential diagnosis of abdominal pain, even in older patients without suspected etiologies.

Clinical Impacts of Juxtapapillary Duodenal Diverticulum Detected on Computed Tomography

BACKGROUND

Diverticula are commonly observed in the duodenum. Duodenal diverticulum (DD) usually does not give symptoms throughout life and is diagnosed by coincidence. However, it may present with different symptoms in patients.

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to evaluate the prevalence of DD and juxtapapillary duodenal diverticulum (JDD) and its association with other possible pathologies and to determine its clinical impact by using Computed Tomography (CT).

METHODS

This retrospective observational study, which was taken consecutively between the years of 2013-2020, was evaluated in the Radiology Department. The total number of cases was 4850 (male-2440; female-2410). CT images were evaluated by two experienced radiologists at the workstation. DD and JDD prevalence and clinical findings in the hospital registry system were examined.

RESULTS

The age of the patients included in the study ranged from 17 to 92 years (mean age 46.94±16.42). In patients with DD (female-130; male-101), mean age was 62.24 ± 12.69 (21-92). The prevalence of DD was 4.76% (n=231). The prevalence of JDD was 4.02% (n=195) and increased with age (p<0.01). The average diameter of the JDD was measured as 23.29±8.22(9.5-55.3) mm. A significant positive correlation was found between age and DD diameter (p=0.039). DDs were found most commonly 84.42% (n=195) in the second segment of the duodenum as JDD. In patients with JDD, the mean diameter of choledochus and wirsung canal were 6.7 ± 2.4 (3-15.3) mm and 0.31 ± 0.1 (0.1-6.5) mm respectively. The choledochal diameter was correlated with the JDD size (p = 0.004). Cholelithiasis (n=56), choledocholithiasis (n=20), cholecystitis (n=52), diverticulitis (n=15), duodenitis (n=37), pancreatitis (n=5) and hiatal hernia (n=60) with JDD were observed. Periampullary carcinoma was detected in one patient.

CONCLUSION

Our study shows that cholelithiasis, choledocholithiasis, cholecystitis, diverticulitis, duodenitis, pancreatitis may be associated with JDD. Therefore, in contrast-enhanced abdominal CT scans taken for various reasons, investigation of the presence and characteristics of JDD and detection of pathologies that may be associated with JDD are important for patients to benefit from early diagnosis and treatment opportunities and to take precautions against possible complications.

Peri-ampullary diverticulum was associated with a higher rate of acute cholangitis among patients with choledocholithiasis

BACKGROUND

Choledocholithiasis is a commonly encountered disease that is associated with various clinical presentations ranging from mild form of biliary colic to severe life-threatening acute cholangitis. Recently, peri-ampullary diverticulum (PAD) has been linked to the development of biliary diseases; however, data regarding its association with the development of acute cholangitis in the setting of choledocholithiasis are scarce.

AIMS

We aimed to identify predictors, specifically PAD, for the development of acute cholangitis in patients with choledocholithiasis.

METHODS

We performed a retrospective cross-sectional study of all patients admitted to Galilee Medical Center from 1 January 2010 to 31 December 2019 with different clinical presentations of documented choledocholithiasis including cholangitis, biliary pancreatitis, and biliary colic with abnormal liver enzymes.

RESULTS

Overall, 651 patients were included in the final analysis. Among them, 88 patients (13.5%) had choledocholithiasis associated with acute cholangitis (group A), as compared to 563 patients (86.5%) without acute cholangitis (group B). The average ages in groups A and B were 77.8 ± 13.6 and 62.4 ± 20.4 years, respectively (P < 0.0001). The rate of PAD was significantly higher in group A as compared to group B (35.2% vs. 19%, P = 0.0002). However, the rate of smoking, chronic liver diseases, hemolytic anemia, and post-cholecystectomy status were not different between the groups (P = 0.3, P = 0.3, P = 0.2, and P = 0.3), respectively. On univariate analysis, age (OR 1.05, P < 0.0001) and PAD (OR 2.32, P = 0.0006) were significantly associated with acute cholangitis. On multivariate logistic regression analysis, the effects of age and PAD were preserved (OR 1.05, 95% CI 1.03-1.07, P < 0.0001 and OR 1.64, 95% CI 1.02-2.72, P = 0.049), respectively.

CONCLUSION

PAD showed a significant association with the development of acute cholangitis among patients with choledocholithiasis. Identification of gallbladder and biliary stones in patients with PAD is of paramount importance since early diagnosis and treatment might prevent further life-threatening complications.

Juxtapapillary duodenal diverticulitis in an elderly female

We describe the case of an 82-year-old Caucasian woman who presented to our institution as a transfer from an outside hospital with nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain with CT imaging concerning for a duodenal mass or abscess in the juxtapapillary region of the second part of the duodenum. Upper endoscopy showed a non-bleeding duodenal diverticulum with purulent discharge consistent with diverticulitis. She underwent endoscopic disimpaction with irrigation and received a 14 day course of antibiotics, after which she presented for follow-up 1 month after discharge without complications. This case highlights the rarity of juxtapapillary duodenal diverticulitis, its nonspecific clinical presentation and imaging findings and the importance of early diagnosis and management to prevent severe complications including perforation.

Two Biliary Cannulation Techniques for ERCP in Patients With Intradiverticular Papilla: A Retrospective Review

PURPOSE

To compare the effectiveness and complications of the different cannulation techniques for bile duct stones removal in patients with intradiverticular papilla.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The records of 472 patients with common bile duct (CBD) stones who underwent endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) procedures for bile duct stones removal from January 2014 to December 2016 were retrospectively reviewed. A total of 42 patients with CBD stones were included in the study and data of included patients were collected retrospectively. The outcomes and complications of ERCP procedures were compared.

RESULTS

Of 42 ERCP procedures included in the study, patients were divided into Two-devices-in-one-channel group (n=20) and Endoclip group (n=22). The success rate of CBD cannulation at first attempt in Two-devices-in-one-channel and Endoclip groups was 85.0% (17/20) and 54.5% (12/22), respectively (P<0.05). The average time it took to cannulation in Endoclip group was much longer than that in Two-devices-in-one-channel Group (17.55±2.06 vs. 10.6±2.75 min, P<0.05). Overall complications occurred in 3 cases of Two-devices-in-one-channel group and in 4 cases of Endoclip group, respectively (15.0% vs. 18.2%, P>0.05). There was no statistically significant difference between groups regarding the complications.

CONCLUSIONS

Two-devices-in-one-channel and Endoclip techniques are both safe and effective for bile duct cannulation in patients with intradiverticular papilla.

Contrast Enhanced Computed Tomographic Study on the Prevalence of Duodenal Diverticulum in Indian Population

INTRODUCTION

Duodenal diverticulum (DD) is the second most common diverticulum, yet its incidence varies widely from 1-22% based on the mode of investigation. Computed Tomography (CT) of abdomen is the preferred modality to diagnose acute abdomen including those of complications of DD. Moreover, the prevalence of DD in Indian population is not yet been studied using CT.

AIM

The current study aim to look for the prevalence of DD in Indian population using Contrast Enhanced Computed Tomography (CECT) abdomen.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A retrospective study was done to assess the presence of DD using the CECT abdomen of 565 patients. The number, size, location, wall thickness and the contents of the diverticulum were noted. The data obtained was analysed using SPSS version 17.0. The mean, percentage of frequency of each variable and the association of DD with pancreatitis, cholelithiasis and colonic diverticulum were also looked for. Frequencies and percentages were calculated for all categorical variables. Spearman's rho correlation was done for age, diameter and content of DD.

RESULTS

The prevalence of DD in Indian population was 8.3% with the mean diameter of 17.13mm+7.26. The prevalence increased with age with no sex predilection. 89.3% were solitary and 10.64% were multiple. It was predominantly seen in the second part of duodenum (90.38%) and juxtapapillary type was the commonest. As the diameter of DD increased, fluid became its content. No significant association was observed between the presence of DD with pancreatitis, cholelithiasis or colonic diverticulum. A case of periampullary carcinoma arising from DD, a rare entity is being reported in this study.

CONCLUSION

The prevalence of DD in Indian population is high compared to western population. DD has been attributed to the cases of acute abdomen and fluid alone as a content of DD with an incidence of 1.92% can be mistaken for a cystic neoplasm of pancreas. Rarely, a periampullary carcinoma can also arise from the wall of the pre-existing DD. This knowledge should be emphasised upon by the radiologist, surgeons and gastroenterologist who will be dealing with cases of acute abdomen and periampullary carcinoma.

Lemmel's syndrome as a rare cause of obstructive jaundice

Obstructive jaundice is a frequent symptom most frequently resulting from choledocolithiasis or pancreatico-biliary and periampullary tumors. If duodenal diverticula are frequently asymptomatic, they can occasionally present with obstructive jaundice in the absence of lithiasis or another obstructing lesion such as a tumor in a presentation called Lemmel's syndrome. We herein present a 70-year-old male with obstructive jaundice secondary to a periampullary duodenal diverticulum associated with hepatic abscess. Endoscopic sphincterotomy associated with percutaneous abscess drainage released patient from all symptoms. Lemmel's syndrome as a rare cause of obstructive jaundice should be known in order to avoid mismanagement and therapeutic delay.

Acute pancreatitis with pancreatic abscess secondary to sealed jejunal diverticular perforation

Although most cases of acute pancreatitis are attributed to gallstones or alcohol, many remain idiopathic. The authors describe a case of acute pancreatitis in a 75-year-old gentleman who presented with acute epigastric pain, fevers and shortness of breath. Serum amylase was 2164. CT showed free mesenteric air, and a partly cystic/partly gas-containing mass in the uncinate lobe of the pancreas. Gastrograffin meal revealed duodenal and jejunal diverticular disease, but no contrast leak. Further CT analysis pinpointed fine tracts of air leading from a jejunal diverticulum up toward the pancreas, suggesting causation by a sealed jejunal diverticular perforation. He responded well to intravenous antibiotics and conservative management. Although small bowel diverticular disease is linked to chronic pancreatitis, evidence for association with acute pancreatitis is scarce. The authors believe this is the first reported case of jejunal diverticular disease causing acute pancreatitis, and it highlights micro-perforation as a potential disease mechanism.