Complicated Diverticular Disease of the Small Bowel: A Rare Cause of Acute Abdomen in a Critically Ill Patient-A Case Report.

Abstract

Diverticular disease of the small bowel is a rare, generally asymptomatic condition with a challenging diagnostic approach and the potential for life-threatening complications. While diverticular disease can manifest in any part of the gastrointestinal tract, its occurrence in the jejunum is exceptionally uncommon, with an incidence of up to 1%. Although rare, complications from diverticular disease of the small bowel can arise in up to 10% of cases, usually manifesting as signs and symptoms mimicking other etiologies or an acute abdomen. In this case report, we present the management of an elderly male patient with multiple comorbidities who developed an acute abdomen during his intensive care unit stay. The patient required surgical intervention, which revealed numerous complicated diverticula of the small bowel, affecting the jejunum, as the underlying cause of his symptoms.