Current diagnostic and treatment aspects of duodenal diverticula: report of two polar cases and review of the literature

Abstract

Duodenal diverticula are not unusual in the general population
and it is well-documented that their incidence increases
with age. Nevertheless, their clinical diagnosis is
difficult for the surgeon since, when symptomatic, their
symptoms are non-specific. The clinical importance of duodenal
diverticula is mostly based on the complications
relating to the periampullary region; recurrent pancreatitis
or cholangitis added to the commonly observed duodenal
obstruction, bleeding and perforation, which may prove
life-threatening because of delay in diagnosis due to the
unsuspected underlying condition.
In this report we present two polar cases of duodenal diverticula
and review the literature concerning the current diagnostic
and therapeutic aspects.
Key-words: diverticula, duodenum, periampullary, diagnosis,
complications, treatment