Duodenal diverticula--diagnosis and management of complicated forms: report of two clinical cases and review of the literature

Duodenal diverticula are frequent, they are present in 22% of the cases at autopsy. However, radiological assessment demonstrates duodenal diverticula in 1 to 5% of the patients only. Perforation, the main complication, is very rare. Preoperative diagnosis is exceptional. In a 69-year patient admitted for diffuse abdominal pain, a computerized abdominal tomography, completed by opacification of the gastroduodenal transit allowed diagnosis. In the second case, diagnosis was made peroperatively. Based on these two observations, the authors review the elements of diagnosis and management in complicated duodenal diverticula.