Severe abdominal pain and thrombocytopenia—Typical symptoms of occult jejunal diverticulum perforation?

Abstract

Complicated small-bowel diverticula cause abdominal pain, gastrointestinal hemorrhage, small-bowel obstruction, and peritonitis. The present patient, had an occult perforation of a small-bowel diverticulum. There were diverticula throughout the whole small bowel. Preoperatively thrombocytopenia (98,000 thrombocytes/cc), was noted. Without any special treatment, i.e., transfusion, the thrombocyte level increased after surgical treatment to normal levels. Although the incidence of small-bowel diverticula appears to be low (0.1%-2.3%) complications may become life-threatening. The level of thrombocytopenia may reflect the extent of inflammation.

Multiple duodeno-jejunal diverticula causing massive intestinal bleeding

“…Serious complications, however, can develop and lead to acute or chronic syndromes, including diverticulitis with or without perforation, intussusception, volvulus, bacterial overgrowth, or hemorrhage. [7][8][9] A number of studies have indicated the diagnostic and surgical problems of the gastrointestinal bleeding associated with these diverticula. 2,7,[10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17] If the existence of the diverticula had not been known at the .…”

Jejunal diverticula — a rare cause of intestinal perforation

“…Reported in 5 to 10 % [5].Occult perforation of jejunal diverticulum is known to occur in rare cases [6].…”