Logo American Journal of Case Reports

Call: 1.631.629.4328
Mon-Fri 10 am - 2 pm EST

Contact Us

Logo American Journal of Case Reports Logo American Journal of Case Reports Logo American Journal of Case Reports

10 May 2018 : Case report  Brazil

A Case of Perforated Jejunal Diverticulum: An Unexpected Cause of Pneumoperitoneum in a Patient Presenting with an Acute Abdomen

Challenging differential diagnosis, Rare disease

Bruno Augusto Alves Martins1ABEF*, Rosana Rodrigues Galletti2BE, Júlio Marinho dos Santos Neto2BE, Caroline Neiva Mendes2BE

DOI: 10.12659/AJCR.909131

Am J Case Rep 2018; 19:549-552

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Jejunal diverticulosis is a rare clinical condition, and the majority of patients are asymptomatic. However, some patients can develop serious complications, including perforation. We report the case of a 74-year-old female patient with a perforated jejunal diverticulum who presented with an ‘acute abdomen’ and with pneumoperitoneum on X-ray radiography.

CASE REPORT: A 74-year-old female patient presented to the emergency department with a 24-hour history of acute onset of diffuse abdominal pain associated with nausea and vomiting. Physical examination showed signs of generalized peritonitis. The chest radiograph showed a pneumoperitoneum. An emergency laparotomy was performed, and a perforated jejunal diverticulum was identified. Resection of the involved jejunal segment and a primary jejunal anastomosis were performed.

CONCLUSIONS: Perforated jejunoileal diverticula should be included in the differential diagnosis for elderly patients who present with an acute abdomen. A delay in the diagnosis can be fatal in this group of patients. Although radiographic signs, such as pneumoperitoneum, are unusual in these cases, this finding should provide a diagnostic clue for the physician.

Keywords: diverticulitis, Diverticulum, Jejunal Diseases, Pneumoperitoneum

Add Comment 0 Comments

In Press

12 Feb 2024 : Case report  Germany

Diagnostic Challenges and Imaging Considerations for Intraparotid Facial Nerve Schwannoma: A Case Report an...

Am J Case Rep In Press; DOI: 10.12659/AJCR.942870  

0:00

12 Feb 2024 : Case report  USA

Erdheim-Chester Disease Occult on Radiographs and CT but Visible on MRI and PET

Am J Case Rep In Press; DOI: 10.12659/AJCR.941169  

0:00

12 Feb 2024 : Case report  USA

Surgical Treatment of Spontaneous Superficial Temporal Artery Arteriovenous Malformation: A Case Report

Am J Case Rep In Press; DOI: 10.12659/AJCR.942839  

13 Feb 2024 : Case report  Bahrain

Warfarin Woes: A Rare Case of Hemoperitoneum with Intramural Small Bowel Hematoma

Am J Case Rep In Press; DOI: 10.12659/AJCR.943519  

Most Viewed Current Articles

10 Jan 2022 : Case report  Germany

A Report on the First 7 Sequential Patients Treated Within the C-Reactive Protein Apheresis in COVID (CACOV...

DOI :10.12659/AJCR.935263

Am J Case Rep 2022; 23:e935263

19 Jul 2022 : Case report  Saudi Arabia

Atlantoaxial Subluxation Secondary to SARS-CoV-2 Infection: A Rare Orthopedic Complication from COVID-19

DOI :10.12659/AJCR.936128

Am J Case Rep 2022; 23:e936128

05 Mar 2022 : Case report  Brazil

Acute Limb Ischemia After Self-Injection of Crushed Morphine Tablets into the Radial Artery: Role of Infrar...

DOI :10.12659/AJCR.935336

Am J Case Rep 2022; 23:e935336

02 Apr 2022 : Case report  Saudi Arabia

Infective Endocarditis Caused by Pseudomonas luteola in a Pediatric Patient. A Case Report and Review of Li...

DOI :10.12659/AJCR.935743

Am J Case Rep 2022; 23:e935743

Your Privacy

We use cookies to ensure the functionality of our website, to personalize content and advertising, to provide social media features, and to analyze our traffic. If you allow us to do so, we also inform our social media, advertising and analysis partners about your use of our website, You can decise for yourself which categories you you want to deny or allow. Please note that based on your settings not all functionalities of the site are available. View our privacy policy.

American Journal of Case Reports eISSN: 1941-5923
American Journal of Case Reports eISSN: 1941-5923