A rare complication of jejunal diverticulae resulting in a closed loop bowel obstruction

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Authors: Zen ZuanYong, Janaka Balasooriya
Cited by: 0
References: 5

Abstract

Jejunal diverticulosis (JD) is an uncommon and often underdiagnosed condition, usually discovered incidentally and rarely associated with acute complications such as diverticulitis, obstruction, abscess, perforation, or fistula formation. However, when complications do occur, they can be severe and diagnostically challenging. We present the case of a 75-year-old Female who arrived with an acute-onset abdominal pain with progressive distension and persistent vomiting. Computed tomography (CT) revealed a small bowel obstruction due to an enterolith. Emergency laparotomy revealed a small bowel obstruction at mid ileum due to an enterolith as well as an omental band adhered to the inflamed jejunal diverticulum proximally resulting in a closed loop in the affected segment of small bowel. The omental band was divided and the enterolith was removed via an enterotomy without requiring a small bowel resection. The patient was managed with antibiotics postoperatively and she made an unremarkable recovery. Closed loop small bowel obstruction as a result of complicated jejunal diverticular disease is rare in the literature and it highlights the critical importance of maintaining a high index of suspicion, particularly in older patients presenting with acute abdomen.

Fields of Study & Subjects

Gastrointestinal disorders and treatments Diverticular Disease and Complications Intestinal and Peritoneal Adhesions

Publication details

Journal / source
Journal of Case Reports and Images in Surgery
Volume
12
Issue
1
Pages
1–4
Publication date
11 March 2026
Language
EN