Non-Meckel's small intestine diverticulitis presenting with obstruction and perforation

Abstract

Small bowel diverticulosis (excluding Meckel's diverticulum) is a rare condition, which predominates in older adults. It is theorized that irregular intestinal contractions lead to increased segmental intraluminal pressure, favouring diverticula formation. This diverticulum may develop life threatening complications. Clinical record of a patient who attends the emergency service of an IMSS hospital in Ciudad Juárez, including clinical symptoms, imaging, surgical management and pathological anatomy. Patient presented to the emergency room with a clinical and imaging picture of intestinal obstruction. An exploratory laparotomy was performed, finding a diverticular disease of the small intestine complicated by diverticular perforation, which was confirmed by histopathological study. Due to its high morbidity and mortality, non-Meckel's diverticulitis of the small intestine is a pathology that should be considered as a differential diagnosis in adults over 70 years of age with abdominal pain.