Duodenal Diverticulum (cont.)
What complications are caused by a duodenal diverticulum?
Extramural diverticula usually cause no symptoms. Occasionally, they may
rupture (just like
colonic diverticula) and lead to a pocket of inflammation adjacent to the
duodenum with or without infection. This may result in all the signs and
symptoms of intra-abdominal inflammation pain, fever, and abdominal
tenderness.
If the diverticulum is very close to the Ampulla of Vater,
patients more frequently develop gallstones, particularly in the bile ducts, and
may develop all the complications of gallstones:
- biliary colic (the typical pain
of obstruction of the bile ducts),
- cholecystitis (inflammation of the
gallbladder), and
- cholangitis (inflammation of the bile ducts due to the spread
of bacteria into the ducts from the duodenum).
Pancreatitis also may occur. These
complications are believed to be due to interference by the diverticula with the
normal function of the bile and pancreatic ducts.
How is a duodenal diverticulum diagnosed?
Extramural duodenal diverticula are most commonly
diagnosed by barium x-rays
of the upper gastrointestinal tract. They also may be diagnosed at the time of
endoscopy or, less
frequently, with ultrasonography. Finally, they also may show up by chance in
computerized tomographic scans (CT) or
magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies
of the abdomen.
Next: How is a duodenal diverticulum treated? »
- CT Scan (Computerized Axial Tomography) - CT Scan (Computerized Axial Tomography, CAT scan) is a procedure that assists in diagnosing tumors, fractures, bony structures, and infections in the organs and tissues of the body.
- Diverticulitis (Diverticulosis) - Learn about diverticulitis (diverticular disease, diverticulosis) symtpoms like abdominal cramping, constipation, diarrhea, and rectal bleeding. Causes, diagnosis, and treatment information is also included.
- MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging Scan) - Medical information on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) used in detecting structural abnormalities of the body. Learn uses, risks, and how to prepare for an MRI scan
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