Abdominal compartment syndrome from bleeding duodenal diverticulum

Area of Science:

• Gastroenterology
• Surgical Case Reports

Background:

• Duodenal diverticuli are outpouchings in the duodenum, typically asymptomatic and of unknown cause.
• While generally benign, duodenal diverticuli can rarely lead to significant upper gastrointestinal bleeding.

Observation:

• This report details the first known case of bleeding from a duodenal diverticulum causing abdominal compartment syndrome.
• The patient presented with massive upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage necessitating urgent intervention.

Findings:

• Duodenal diverticular bleeding is an uncommon but potentially life-threatening cause of upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage.
• Massive bleeding from a duodenal diverticulum can precipitate abdominal compartment syndrome, a critical condition.

Implications:

• Duodenal diverticular bleeding must be considered in the differential diagnosis of obscure or severe upper gastrointestinal bleeding.
• Effective management requires a collaborative, multidisciplinary approach involving gastroenterologists and surgeons.
• This case highlights the importance of considering rare etiologies in complex gastrointestinal emergencies.