Lemmel’s Syndrome: A Rare Cause of Obstructive Jaundice Secondary to Periampullary Diverticulum

Abstract

In 1934 Lemmel was the first to report the presence of juxtapapillary diverticula and hepatocholangiopancreatic disease, excluding cholelithiasis. Obstructive jaundice caused by periampullary duodenal diverticulum (PAD) in absence of choledocholithiasis or tumor is known as Lemmel syndrome. A patient with an extraluminal duodenal diverticulum presenting with obstructive jaundice and pancreatitis is presented in this case. Although initially managed conservatively, the patient had recurrence of symptoms after 2 months but then had successful surgical resection of the duodenal diverticulum.

Keywords

• Lemmel’s syndrome, juxtapapillary diverticula, periampullary duodenal diverticulum (PAD), choledocholithiasis, cholelithiasis, ERCP, MRCP, ampulla of Vater, pancreaticobiliary.