Perforated diverticulitis in a patient with very proximal jejunal diverticula

Background: We report a case of an elderly with peritonitis due to perforated jejunal diverticulitis, and we highlight the diagnostic evaluation and treatment alternatives. Case presentation: A 92-year-old woman was transferred to the Emergency Dept. with abdominal pain and vomiting for the past 12 hours. Physical examination revealed diffuse pain, abdominal distension, rebound tenderness and bowel silence. She was febrile, tachycardic, tachypneic, hypotensive and anuric. Blood gas estimation showed metabolic acidosis. She fulfilled the criteria of septic shock. At presentation, she was mildly malnourished. From her medical history, she had cardiac arrythmias, hypertension and diabetes mellitus under proper medication, and laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Laboratory investigations revealed Hct 44.6%, WBC 12.500/dL, glucose 300 mg/dL, creatinine 2.8 mg/dL, CRP 405 mg/L, and electrolyte deficit. Abdominal X-ray showed gastric, small intestinal and colonic gas, with no pneumoperitoneum or air-fluid levels. Chest/abdomen CT showed thickening of proximal jejunal loop and adjacent mesentery, and an extraluminal air bubble, suggesting possible perforation. The patient was given intense resuscitation and broad-spectrum antibiotics and underwent emergency laparotomy. Results: Four jejunal diverticula, sized 1-3 cm, were confined to a segment 12 cm long, located 6 cm from the Treitz ligament; the proximal diverticula was inflamed and perforated. The adjacent mesentery was inflamed and thickened; the bowel lumen remained open. We performed one-layer full-thickness suturing of the perforated diverticulum and omental patch closure. The patient was transferred intubated to ICU. E. Coli was isolated from peritoneal fluid cultures and antibiotic therapy was adjusted to antibiogram. The patient had a first bowel movement at day 5 and was extubated at day 21. She needed mild cardiopulmonary support and was discharged at day 30. Conclusions: Jejunal diverticulitis is a challenging disorder since its rarity makes diagnosis difficult and, thus delayed. The perforation of jejunal diverticulitis requires emergent surgery and poses technical dilemmas.