Jejunal Diverticula as a Source of Massive Upper Gastrointestinal Bleeding

Abstract

JEJUNAL diverticula are an infrequent source of massive upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage. Bleeding jejunal diverticula may elude diagnosis during preoperative studies and even at laparotomy. This diagnosis will not be missed, however, if appropriate maneuvers are done. In this study the literature was reviewed and a case of our own is presented to emphasize the diagnostic features and review the treatment of bleeding jejunal diverticula. Report of a Case A 50-year-old white man entered Vanderbilt University Hospital on Oct 27, 1964, with a history of five grossly bloody stools during the 18 hours prior to admission. Two months previously the patient had been placed on anticoagulant therapy with warfarin sodium (Coumadin) for symptoms of basilar artery insufficiency. Warfarin sodium therapy had been omitted for three weeks but was reinstituted three days before admission because of symptoms suggestive of progressive basilar artery insufficiency. There were no previous gastrointestinal complaints. On admission the