A Case of Duodenal Diverticulum Mimicking a Peripancreatic Abscess / 대한내과학회지

ABSTRACT

The duodenum is the second most common site, after the colon, of diverticuli in the alimentary tract. Although most patients with duodenal diverticuli are asymptomatic, previous studies have demonstrated a possible association between duodenal diverticuli and choledocholithiasis and pancreatitis. In addition, duodenal diverticuli mimicking periampullary tumors and cystic neoplasms of the pancreas have been reported. We report a case of a duodenal diverticulum that mimicked a peripancreatic abscess. A 65-year-old woman was admitted for epigastric pain and vomiting. Abdominal CT confirmed the diagnosis of acute pancreatitis. Follow-up abdominal CT performed for a sustained fever revealed several newly developed peripancreatic abscesses. Most of the abscesses were drained percutaneously, but those around the uncinate process seldom respond to treatment. This patient was confirmed to have a duodenal diverticulum by endoscopy and duodenography. Duodenal diverticuli must be considered in a differential diagnosis of peripancreatic abscesses.