Complicated jejuno-ileal diverticulosis

Abstract

Jejuno-ileal diverticulosis is a rare and frequently asymptomatic disease. However, it can present itself with chronic manifestations (episodic abdominal pain, flatulence, diarrhea, constipation) or acute symptoms, usually associated with complications of the disease, like diverticulitis, perforation, intestinal obstruction and hemorrhage. The authors present the case of an 84 year-old woman with an acute abdomen that started 4 days before admission. Surgical exploration revealed diverticulosis of the jejunum and ileum with perforation of an ileal diverticulum. The therapeutic option was to resect that small-bowel segment with primary anastomosis. The authors wish to remind this entity as a possible cause of acute abdomen in the elderly. They also make a review of the last publications on the subject.

Key-words: jejuno-ileal diverticulosis, diverticulitis, intestinal perforation, small bowel resection