P-EGS16 Lemmel Syndrome due to Duodenal Diverticulitis, an Infrequent Cause of Biliary Obstruction

Background Lemmel syndrome, first described in 1934, is the presence of biliary obstruction as a consequence of duodenal diverticula. The precise aetiology remains uncertain. Multiple causative theories have been proposed. These include mechanical biliopancreatic duct occlusion, functional disruption of the sphincter of Oddi and alteration of the course of the distal biliary and pancreatic ducts. We present a case of biliary obstruction caused by diverticulitis of a solitary duodenal diverticulum. Methods A 71-year-old woman with no co-morbidities presented with early satiety, cachexia and upper abdominal pain. An epigastric mass was palpable, alkaline phosphatase was 247 iu/L, alanine transaminase 124iu/L, bilirubin 4umol/L and C-reactive protein 68mg/L. Computed tomography (CT) of the abdomen and pelvis revealed obstructed biliary tree with D2 duodenal diverticulitis. Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) displayed a causative enterolith. Treatment with antibiotics was initiated and the patient commenced on liquid diet. Liver function tests and inflammatory markers normalised. After a seven day admission patient was discharged and oral intake normalised. Interval MRCP revealed resolution of obstruction and inflammation. Results Duodenal diverticula occur in 1-20% of individuals. Complications are symptoms are uncommon. Diverticulitis is a rare complication. Malignancy and cholelithiasis should be excluded in diagnostic workup. The mainstay of therapy for duodenal diverticulitis is conservative. CT and MRCP are effective diagnostic tools. Diverticulectomy carries substantial risk of morbidity and mortality. Endoscopic sphincterotomy or lavage have a role in relief of biliary obstruction when present. Comparative prospective studies of management do not exist and retrospective enquiry is sparse. Management is thereby best determined clinically on a case by case basis. Surgery is reserved for failed conservative and medical therapy. Conclusions Duodenal diverticulitis should be considered in patients with unexplained upper abdominal pain and elevated inflammatory markers. In combination with obstructive jaundice, suspicions should be raised for acute inflammation causing obstruction to the biliary tree. Cross sectional imaging is useful in determining the diagnosis. Antibiotics and conservative therapy are prudent first line management in the absence of perforation. Where these measures are inadequate endoscopic and operative strategies may be employed but have no robust evidence basis.

Endoscopic negative pressure therapy as stand-alone treatment for perforated duodenal diverticulum: presentation of two cases

Background Endoscopic negative pressure therapy is a novel and successful treatment method for a variety of gastrointestinal leaks. This therapy mode has been frequently described for rectal and esophageal leakages. Duodenal diverticular perforations are rare but life-threatening events. The early diagnosis of duodenal diverticular perforation is often complicated by inconclusive symptoms. This is the first report about endoscopic negative pressure therapy in patients with perforated duodenal diverticula. Case presentation We present two cases of duodenal diverticula perforations treated with endoscopic negative pressure therapy as stand-alone treatment. Start of symptoms varied from one to three days before hospital admission. Early sectional imaging led to the diagnosis of duodenal diverticular perforation. Both patients were treated with endoluminal endoscopic negative pressure therapy with simultaneous feeding option. Three respective changes of the suction device were performed. Both patients were treated with antibiotics and antimycotics during their hospital stay and be discharged from hospital after 20 days. Conclusions This is the first description of successful stand-alone treatment by endoscopic negative pressure therapy in two patients with perforated duodenal diverticulum. We thus strongly recommend to attempt interventional therapy with endoluminal endoscopic negative pressure therapy in patients with duodenal diverticular perforations upfront to surgery.

JUST BECAUSE IT IS RARE DOESN’T MEAN IT IS IMPLAUSIBLE: LEMMEL’S SYNDROME A CASE SERIES

Lemmel’s syndrome is a rare pancreaticobiliary complication of duodenal diverticula. It occurs when a duodenal diverticulum causes obstructive jaundice due to a mechanical obstruction of the common bile duct. Other mechanisms like sphincter of Oddi dysfunction can also play a role in pathophysiology. We report three cases of Lemmel’s syndrome where liver biochemistry showed obstructive jaundice; but subsequent MRCP showed a massive periampullary diverticulum causing biliary obstruction. Early detection and intervention can prevent needless additional investigations and complications due to obstruction.

A systematic review of the perforated duodenal diverticula: lessons learned from the last decade

Background The perforated duodenal diverticulum remains a rare clinical entity, the optimal management of which has not been well established. Historically, primary surgery has been the preferred treatment modality. This was called into question during the last decade, with the successful application of non-operative therapy in selected patients. The aim of this systematic review is to identify cases of perforated duodenal diverticula published over the past decade and to assess any subsequent evolution in treatment. Methods A systematic review of English and non-English articles reporting on perforated duodenal diverticula using MEDLINE (2008–2020) was performed. Only cases of perforated duodenal diverticula in adults (> 18 years) that reported on diagnosis and treatment were included. Results Some 328 studies were identified, of which 31 articles met the inclusion criteria. These studies included a total of 47 patients with perforated duodenal diverticula. This series suggests a trend towards conservative management with 34% (16/47) of patients managed non-operatively. In 31% (5/16) patients initially managed conservatively, a step-up approach to surgical intervention was required. Conclusion Conservative treatment of perforated duodenal diverticula appears to be an acceptable and safe treatment strategy in stable patients without signs of peritonitis under careful observation. For patients who fail to respond to conservative treatment, a step-up approach to percutaneous drainage or surgery can be applied. If surgery is required, competence in techniques ranging from simple diverticulectomy to Roux-en-Y gastric diversion or even Whipple’s procedure may be required depending on tissue friability and diverticular collar size.

Massive Hematochezia from a Large Bleeding Duodenal Diverticulum

Background. Duodenal diverticula are a rare cause of gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding despite being a common finding in the GI tract. We present a case of a patient who had massive hematochezia due to a complex duodenal diverticulum. Case Presentation. A 74-year-old Hispanic female presented initially with generalized weakness. During admission, the patient had an episode of a large amount of hematochezia and had to be transferred to the intensive care unit (ICU). Upper endoscopy was done using a forward-viewing endoscope which revealed a bleeding complex duodenal diverticulum. Successful hemostasis was achieved through epinephrine injection followed by placement of hemostatic clips. Conclusion. Although rare, gastroenterologists need to be aware of duodenal diverticulum as a possible cause of gastrointestinal bleed. It could be life-threatening, and thus, prompt diagnosis and management is necessary.