Periampullary Duodenal Diverticulitis – Another Cause for Acute Pancreatitis

Abstract

Small bowel diverticula are uncommon and usually asymptomatic. Rare complications include abdominal pain, small bowel diverticulitis, small bowel perforation, pancreaticobiliary obstruction, and related sequelae (i.e., ascending cholangitis, pancreatitis). We present a case of a 42-year-old female with peri-ampullary duodenal diverticulitis complicated by pancreaticobiliary obstruction successfully managed conservatively. Small bowel diverticula are often found in the second portion of the duodenum adjacent to the ampulla of Vater and are usually asymptomatic but can predispose to non-pancreaticobiliary or pancreaticobiliary complications. This case highlights the success of conservative management with antibiotics and endoscopic lavage upon prompt recognition and treatment avoiding invasive measures.