The clinical significance of jejunal diverticular disease diagnosed by double-balloon enteroscopy for obscure gastrointestinal bleeding

Abstract

Background: Jejunal diverticular disease is a rare cause of gastrointestinal bleeding. The reported incidence of this disease is low in the studies of double-balloon enteroscopy.

Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical features and management of jejunal diverticular disease, diagnosed by double-balloon enteroscopy, at our institution.

Method: This was a retrospective study of patients with jejunal diverticular disease conducted from April 2004 to September 2009 at Changhua Christian Hospital. We evaluated the clinical significance of jejunal diverticular disease and the outcome of endoscopic treatment for jejunal diverticular bleeding.

Results: From April 2004 to September 2009, a total of 55 patients underwent double-balloon enteroscopy due to obscure gastrointestinal bleeding. Fifteen of these patients were diagnosed with jejunal diverticular disease (8 men and 7 women, mean age 71 years). Four patients were found to have a single diverticulum. Gastrointestinal bleeding was attributed to jejunal diverticular disease in 12 patients. Six patients received endoscopic treatment in order to achieve hemostasis. One patient received emergency surgery due to uncontrolled bleeding.

Conclusions: To our knowledge, this is the first study reporting the clinical significance of jejunal diverticular disease diagnosed by double-balloon enteroscopy. We found that obscure GI bleeding was attributed significantly to jejunal diverticular disease.