Perforated jejunal diverticulitis: a rare but important differential in the acute abdomen

Small Bowel Diverticulosis and COVID-19: Awareness Is the Key: A Case Series and Review of the Literature

Small bowel non-Meckelian diverticulosis is a rare condition with only a few published cases despite being described over 200 years ago. In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, studies suggested that many patients may experience gastrointestinal manifestations. Intestinal symptoms could worsen the inflammation and infection associated with small bowel diverticulitis. Here we present three cases: one with inflammation and rupture in a COVID-19 patient and another as an asymptomatic detection. The third case involved recurrence after the first laparoscopic lavage approach. Furthermore, we provide a mini-review of the literature to emphasize the importance of considering this entity in the differential diagnosis of an acute abdomen. In the majority of cases involving small bowel diverticula, conservative management is the preferred approach. However, when complications arise, surgical intervention, including enteroctomy and primary anastomosis, may be necessary to achieve optimal outcomes.

Isolated Perforation of Multiple Jejunal Diverticulae: A Very Rare Cause of Acute Abdomen

Isolated jejunal diverticular (JD) perforation is extremely rare; it usually presents as a diagnostic dilemma and is often discovered incidentally on laparotomy. Most of these perforations are single. Literature has revealed only one case of multiple small bowel diverticular perforations. We report the first case of simultaneous perforation of four jejunal diverticulae in an 85-year-old male. Small bowel resection and primary anastomosis were performed. The patient had an uneventful post-operative recovery. This case highlights the importance of prompt diagnosis and timely management to reduce the morbidity and mortality of these patients. It should be included in the differential diagnosis in all elderly patients presenting with acute abdomen.

Diffuse Jejunal Lipomatosis and Associated Complications

Small intestinal lipomatosis is a rare condition with a poorly understood epidemiology and pathophysiology. Cases of small intestinal lipomatosis have been documented in multiple countries over the last century, yet little has been published regarding the natural history of this disease. Therapeutic options are largely surgical and based on limited evidence. We report a unique case of diffuse jejunal lipomatosis in a 62-year-old man with complications of small bowel obstruction, small bowel volvulus, jejunal diverticulosis, pneumatosis intestinalis, malnutrition, small intestinal bacterial overgrowth, and intestinal dysmotility developing over a 12-year period.

Jejunal diverticulum and pneumatosis intestinalis presenting as pneumoperitoneum: A case report

INTRODUCTION AND IMPORTANCE

Jejunal diverticulum is a rare condition that affects less than 0.5 % of population. Pneumatosis is also a rare disorder marked by gas in the intestinal wall's submucosa and subserosa. Both the conditions are rare cause of pneumoperitoneum.

PRESENTATION OF CASE

A case of 64 years female presented with acute abdomen and upon investigation found to have pneumoperitoneum. Exploratory laparotomy was done and intraoperatively there was multiple jejunal diverticula and pneumatosis intestinalis in separate segments of bowel and closure was done without any resection of bowel segments.

CLINICAL DISCUSSION

Small bowel diverticulosis was considered to be an incidental anomaly; however, it is now thought to be acquired. Pneumoperitoneum is a common complication of diverticula perforation. The occurrence of pneumatosis cystoides intestinalis or subserosal dissection of air around the colon or adjacent structures has been linked to pneumoperitoneum. Complications should be managed accordingly however, occurrence of short bowel syndrome should be considered before doing resection anastomosis of involved segment.

CONCLUSION

Jejunal diverticula and pneumatosis intestinalis both are rare cause of pneumoperitoneum. Combination of both the condition giving rise to pneumoperitoneum is extremely rare. These conditions can give rise to diagnostic dilemma in clinical practice. One should always think these as differentials when patient with pneumoperitoneum are encountered.

Jejunal diverticulosis: A case report

INTRODUCTION

Jejunal diverticulosis is a rare entity that presents a challenging diagnosis due to its vague and non-specific clinical presentations. 40 % of the patients remain asymptomatic until the development of complications.

CASE PRESENTATION

We report a case of 84 years old female who presented to the hospital with vomiting and abdominal pain, found to have jejunal diverticulosis complicated by perforation in a CT scan. The patient underwent emergency expletory laparotomy with segmental intestinal resection and anastomosis.

DISCUSSION

The incidence of jejunal diverticulosis ranges between 3 and 5 %, with most patients discovered incidentally. Therefore, medical or surgical treatment management depends on clinical presentation and complications that necessitate surgical intervention.

CONCLUSION

Jejunal diverticulosis is a rare entity that commonly affects the elderly with significant morbidity and mortality; it is an important clinical entity to consider when approaching patients with acute abdomen.

Jejunal diverticulitis: A new case report and a review of the literature

•

Jejunal diverticulitis is a rare condition.

•

The computed tomography is now the best diagnostic imaging method.

•

There is no consensus on therapeutic strategy and management of jejunal diverticulitis

Perforated jejunal diverticulum as an unsual cause of acute abdomen: A case report

INTRODUCTION AND IMPORTANCE

Jejunal divertica is a rare entity with an often clinically silent course. However, it may be associated to life-threatening complications such as perforation. Therefore it should be considered in every case of acute abdomen.

CASE PRESENTATION

A 60-year-old female presented with a generalized abdominal pain associated with vomiting evolving for 24 h. Physical examination found an irreducible and tender hernia in the umbilical region with abdominal guarding. Laboratory test results showed a biological inflammatory syndrome. The primary diagnosis of strangulated umbilical hernia was suspected and the patient underwent an emergency laparotomy. Intra-operative examination revealed mutiple jejunal diverticula, with a perforation in one diverticulum leading to generalized peritonitis. A bowel resection and peritoneal lavage were performed with good outcome.

CLINICAL DISCUSSION

Jejunal diverticula is a challenging condition with various non-specific clinical presentations. Jejunal perforation is its most feared complication. Deceitful abdominal examination among elderly patients and lack of specific signs may lead to diagnostic delay responsible for high mortality rate and poor prognosis. Adjunctive imaging modalities may be needed to help establish a prompt diagnosis and dictate management strategy. Treatment of perforated jejunal diverticulum is based on limited bowel resection associated to primary anastomosis.

CONCLUSION

Jejunal diverticulitis should be kept in mind as a differential diagnosis in every case of acute abdomen. High index of clinical suspicion and eventual further radiological examinations are required to avoid misdaignosis and save patients' lives.

Small bowel diverticula in elderly patients: a case report and review article

Background

Small intestine diverticula are rare findings that were mostly reported in the elderly population as asymptomatic findings. However, they can also present with a wide range of symptoms (bloating, early satiety, chronic abdominal discomfort, and diarrhea/steatorrhea) or complications (gastrointestinal bleeding, small bowel obstruction, acute diverticulitis, or perforation) which in turn warrant medical treatment or urgent surgical intervention.

Case presentation

This is a case report of an 84-year-old female who presented with an acute surgical abdomen. An exploratory laparotomy revealed complicated small bowel diverticula with a jejunal diverticulum perforation, for which a diverticulectomy was performed.

Conclusions

Throughout this paper, we are aiming to outweigh the consideration of the possibility of complicated small bowel diverticula as a differential in the evaluation of any acute abdomen, especially in the elderly, which warrants emergency surgical management.

Operative Management of Perforated Jejunal Diverticulitis

Small jejunal diverticulitis is very rare, presenting in 0.06% to 1.3% of the population. Many patients remain asymptomatic or have nonspecific symptoms such as malabsorption and abdominal pain, making diagnosis complicated. Up to 6% of patients present with acute perforation. Here, we present such a case involving a 69-year-old female who presented with altered mental status due to sepsis and generalized peritonitis from a perforated jejunal diverticulum that was successfully managed with definitive surgery. We highlight the importance of maintaining a broad differential, early resuscitation, and prompt surgical management in complicated jejunal diverticulitis. Although adjunctive studies such as computed tomography may be helpful in stable patients, definitive surgery was both diagnostic and therapeutic in this case.

A Case of Isolated Jejunal Diverticulum Presented as Free Perforation: A Rare Cause of Acute Abdomen

Jejunal diverticulum is a very rare disease. Diagnosis of this condition is a challenge owing to non-specific complaints of the patient. Fifteen percent cases of jejunal diverticula present with acute abdomen. Approximately 77% of small bowel diverticular disease occur with multiple diverticula. Here we describe a case of complicated isolated jejunal diverticula presenting with perforation, which was successfully treated with resection of the involved segment with anastomosis.

Massive Gastrointestinal Bleeding Due to Jejunal Diverticula in a Community Hospital: A Case Report and Review of Diagnostic and Therapeutic Options

Small bowel diverticula are rare and often asymptomatic. Severe lower gastrointestinal bleeding from jejunal diverticula is rarely reported and, therefore, should be considered a differential diagnosis in all cases of lower gastrointestinal bleeding with nonconclusive gastroscopy and colonoscopy. In this case report, we discuss a case of a 75-year-old male with massive lower gastrointestinal bleeding from jejunal diverticula. Initial gastroscopy did not reveal the source of bleeding. Repeat upper endoscopy with a pediatric colonoscope identified jejunal diverticula as the likely source of bleeding. Angiography identified the site of extravasation, and successful angioembolization was done by interventional radiology.

Perforated jejunal diverticula in a young woman: A case report

INTRODUCTION AND IMPORTANCE

Small bowel diverticulosis is a rare condition. It usually remains asymptomatic and undiscovered, until potentially severe complications such as diverticulitis or even perforation occur. We present an unusual case and discuss the pathophysiology, diagnostics strategies, and possible surgical intervention.

CASE PRESENTATION

A young woman was referred to our emergency department suffering from acute abdominal pain. A computed tomography scan showed signs of small bowel perforation of unknown origin. Exploratory laparotomy revealed multiple perforated jejunal diverticula (JD). The patient underwent segmental resection of the affected jejunum followed by primary anastomosis. Pathological examination confirmed the diagnosis of perforated JD.

CONCLUSIONS

Due to its rarity and variable clinical presentation, it can sometimes be challenging to diagnose this potentially life-threatening condition. If the bowel is suspected from perforation; segmental resection is the treatment of choice, preferably followed by direct restoration of the bowel continuity.

Isolated perforated jejunal diverticulitis: a case report

Jejunal diverticulosis is a rare phenomenon often identified either incidentally on imaging or intra-operatively. Complications of jejunal diverticulosis are associated with high rates of mortality. For this reason, it remains important that this pathology is considered amongst differentials for an acute abdomen. A 78-year old gentleman presented with a short history of generalized lower abdominal pain. Computer tomography scan revealed a large inflammatory abscess relating to a perforated jejunal diverticulum. The patient was taken to theatre where he underwent small bowel resection with primary anastomosis. Early cross sectional imaging is vital to allow early diagnosis and prompt management of this pathology. Small bowel resection with primary anastomosis was associated with an excellent clinical outcome.