Giant Colonic Diverticulum a Rare Complication of a Common Disease

Abstract

An 80-year-old patient presented to the emergency room with a tender epigastric mass and symptoms suggestive of bowel obstruction. An abdominal computed tomography (CT) was performed, showing a closed loop small bowel obstruction. The patient was taken to surgery and a giant sigmoid diverticulum, of 11cm in diameter, was found. We chose to resect the diverticulum. The surgery and postoperative course occurred without any complications. The resected speciemen was a true McNutt's type III diverticulum. The patient was discharged home after a normal postoperative course, and did not suffer any recurrence during a follow-up of 6 months. This is a rare complication of a common disease with non-specific presentation and not always accurately described by CT scan. Surgical resection is the recommended treatment to avoid obstruction or perforation, among other complications that may lead to peritonitis. Diverticulectomy is a safe option for a patient with acute presentation in the emergency room.