Multiple jejunal diverticulitis with perforation in a patient with systemic lupus erythematosus: report of a case

Abstract

A 70-year-old man with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) was brought to our Emergency Department after the sudden onset of acute and severe abdominal pain. Physical examination revealed a tender and distended abdomen with guarding and rebound tenderness in the periumbilical region and the left upper quadrant. A plain abdominal X-ray taken with the patient upright showed air fluid levels with dilatation of several loops in the small bowel. As the examination could not rule out bowel ischemia, perforation, or obstruction, an emergency laparotomy was performed, which revealed multiple jejunal diverticulosis, one of which had perforated and adhered to the right colon, causing rotation. The diverticulosis segment was resected and an end-to-end anastomosis was done. The patient had an uneventful postoperative recovery without any complications. This is an unusual cause of peritonitis in a patient with SLE, and we could not find any evidence to suggest involvement of the underlying SLE in the jejunal diverticulosis and diverticulitis in this patient. Nevertheless, the involvement of SLE might be possible and further investigation is warranted.