Duodenal diverticulitis: a rare cause of abnormal liver function tests

A 52-year-old woman presented with a 2-week history of pain in her right upper abdomen radiating to the ipsilateral shoulder, associated with pale colored stools, dark colored urine, and a poor appetite, without febrile episodes. Physical examination revealed right upper quadrant tenderness with a positive Murphy’s sign. Initial tests revealed leukocytosis with aspartate transaminase at 245 IU/L (up to 42 IU/L), alanine transaminase 283 IU/L (up to 40 IU/L), alkaline phosphatase 257 IU/L (up to 92 IU/L), total bilirubin 1.5 mg/dL (up to 1.2 mg/dL), and direct bilirubin 0.6 mg/dL (up to 0.4 mg/dL).

A computed tomography (CT) scan with contrast revealed a distended gallbladder with intrahepatic biliary duct (IHBD) dilation and a dilated common bile duct (CBD) (12 mm). A cystic lesion with an air–fluid level was identified posterior and inferior to the head of pancreas, close to the CBD ( [Fig.1]). Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography confirmed the dilation of the IHBD and CBD, defined the cystic mass as a duodenal diverticulum of less than 4 cm ([Fig. 2]), and confirmed there were no stones in the CBD or gallbladder.

Fig. 1 Computed tomography (CT)scan of the abdomen and pelvis, demonstrating a cystic lesion with an air–fluid level posterior and inferior to the head of the pancreas (outline black arrow). The solid black arrow points to the duodenum.

Fig. 2 T2-weighted magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography image demonstrating a duodenal diverticulum (solid black arrow) arising from the duodenum (outline black arrow), and showing the proximity of the diverticulum to the common bile duct (CBD; white arrow).

On day 2 of admission, the patient developed a fever spike of 39.6 °C and underwent endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), which revealed a large diverticulum in the second part of the duodenum, filled with pus and debris ([Fig. 3]), and with the ampulla of Vater located on the superior lip of the diverticulum ([Fig. 4]). The ampulla was easily cannulated, and no CBD stones were demonstrated. In the absence of pus extruding from the ampulla, cholangitis was excluded.

Fig. 3 Diverticulum in the second part of the duodenum, with pus (black arrow) and debris.

Fig. 4 Ampulla of Vater (solid black arrow) located on the superior lip of the diverticulum, with pus in the diverticulum (outline black arrow).

The patient was managed with intravenous antibiotics and bowel rest. Resolution of IHBD and CBD dilation was shown on follow-up CT scans, and liver tests had normalized.

The duodenum is the second most common site for gastrointestinal diverticula [1]. Approximately 75 % are located at the second portion, usually remaining asymptomatic [1]. Nevertheless, complications – most commonly perforation and hemorrhage – can develop in 5 % of patients, with diverticulitis being a rare entity [2].

The signs and symptoms of diverticulitis are non-specific, including abdominal pain, fever, and leukocytosis [2], with CBD obstruction with or without cholangitis being a rare entity [3]. In the absence of cholangitis, conservative management has been described [4]; endoscopic management [3] with sphincterotomy of the ampulla and stenting of the CBD is reserved for cholangitis complicating CBD obstruction secondary to diverticulitis.

In conclusion, we describe a rare case of duodenal diverticulitis presenting with CBD obstruction without cholangitis, managed conservatively with intravenousantibiotics.

Endoscopy_UCTN_Code_CCL_1AB_2AZ_3AZ

Competing interests: None

• References

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• 3 Caselitz M, Manns MP, Meier PN. Endoscopic management of duodenal diverticulitis causing common bile duct obstruction and cholangitis. Endoscopy 2002; 34: 591
• 4 Luz LP, Eloubeidi MA. Duodenal diverticulitis mimicking cholangitis: endoscopic and EUS appearance. Am J Gastroenterol 2009; 104: 2125-2126