Diverticula of the small bowel are quite frequent (about 5 %), but being a differential diagnosis of abdominal complaints they may still be underdiagnosed. One reason for the low level of suspicion for a complication of small bowel diverticula might be that the small bowel was out of the gastroenterologists' focus until recently when small bowel endoscopy became available as a reliable and practical diagnostic tool. Diverticula of the jejunum and the ileum may lead to diverticulitis, abscess, obstruction, bleeding, and perforation. Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth syndrome due to small bowel diverticula is a common complication and involves meteorism and malassimilation syndrome. Meckel's diverticulum sometimes provokes bleeding even in the young adult and resection of the diverticulum is clearly indicated. Contrariwise, incidental detection of a Meckel's diverticulum during abdominal laparotomy does not necessarily imply resection of the diverticulum. The juxtapapillary duodenal diverticula appear to be a risk factor for gallbladder stones, bile duct stones, and their recurrence. Moreover, the complication rate of endoscopic interventions of the bile system might be increased. In this review, we highlight the historical background of small bowel diverticular disease, present the epidemiological and pathophysiological implications and provide information on the diagnostic modalities that are available. Diseases of the primary acquired and congential small bowel diverticula are described in detail.

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