Introduction: Small bowel diverticula are rare. We describe a case of Jejunal diverticula that caused massive lower GI bleeding requiring surgical intervention.
Case Description/Methods: A 77 year old male presented to our ER with sudden onset bright red blood per rectum. The patient first noticed 2 days ago that his stool was dark red followed by red streaking on toilet paper. A few hours later he developed rectal urgency followed by another large bloody bowel movement along with associated diaphoresis, LLQ cramping and presyncope.
Past medical history included GERD, BPH, Hypertension and Polycythemia Vera. He had never undergone an EGD and his last screening colonoscopy was normal 5 years ago.
Labwork revealed acute anemia with Hb of 7.7 g/dL (baseline 13) and one unit of RBCs was therefore transfused. Emergent EGD and colonoscopy were performed and these were unremarkable apart from sigmoid diverticulosis. The following day massive rectal bleeding recurred and this time a radionuclide bleeding scan was obtained which was positive for active bleeding in small bowel lumen at the LUQ. Interventional Radiology did not feel the area was approachable for embolization. 6 additional units of RBCs were given due to persistent bleeding. General Surgery was called and the patient was taken to OR for exploratory laparotomy with small bowel resection. Diffuse proximal Jejunal diverticulosis was found to be actively bleeding with blood traveling all the way to distal colon. 60cm of Jejunum was transected 30cm from the ligament of Treitz.
The patient had an unremarkable postoperative recovery with no further episodes of bleeding and stable Hemoglobin on serial CBCs.
Discussion: Diverticulosis involving the small bowel, especially the Jejunum, is rare. These lesions have a higher incidence in the elderly and are acquired as a result of increased intraluminal pressure. They are thin and friable due to lack of muscularis layer. Concurrent colonic diverticulosis is common. Traditionally considered to be asymptomatic and incidental findings on imaging or surgical exploration, Jejunal diverticula can uncommonly cause lower GI bleeding. Traditional endoscopy is unhelpful given the lack of accessibility of the small bowel. CT Angiography and Nuclear Medicine bleeding scans may be beneficial to localize bleeding. Hemorrhage is usually brisk, requiring massive blood transfusion to maintain hemodynamics. Unstable patients should undergo emergent laparotomy so that resection of the involved segment can be performed.
