International Journal of Gerontology (Sep 2008)
Jejunal Diverticula Causing Unusual Massive Lower Gastrointestinal Bleeding
Abstract
Jejunal diverticula are rare and difficult to diagnose. They are often asymptomatic, but they may infrequently cause serious acute complications, such as diverticulitis with or without perforation, volvulus, intussusception, or hemorrhage. Hemorrhage of jejunal diverticula usually presents as lower gastrointestinal bleeding. Diverticula with bleeding may be associated with some anticoagulants, antiplatelets or nonsteroidal antiinflammatory agents in the elderly. In our case, upper gastroscopy and colonoscopy could not easily disclose the bleeding. Selective mesenteric angiography is the gold standard for diagnosis of active and fatal bleeding. The management of a bleeding jejunal diverticulum is surgical resection of the involved segment of jejunum.
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