Large jejunal diverticular faecolith causing small bowel obstruction: a bizarre cause of an acute abdomen

Abstract

Jejunal diverticula are uncommon and usually asymptomatic. Very rarely, they can lead to acute complications such as bleeding, diverticulitis, perforation and obstruction. Incidence of faecolith in jejunal diverticula is also rarely reported. In this report we outline our experience of acute small bowel obstruction due to the dislodgement of the faecolith from diverticula into the jejunum, where patient was previously asymptomatic and successful management of the case.

Jejunal diverticulum perforation leading to extra intestinal faecolith formation: a case report

“…While several cases document faecolith-induced small bowel perforations, our case stands out by revealing a previously unreported sequence: perforation preceding the formation of an extraintestinal faecolith within the contained site. [15][16][17] The prevalence of jejunal diverticulosis is reported in less than two percent of the population based on a combination of various radiological and post mortem studies, however all of which are low power and hence the true prevalence may vary greatly. 18,19 While both jejunal and colonic diverticulosis involve the formation of small pouches in the intestinal wall, their pathophysiology's differ in several keyways.…”