Background: Duodenal diverticular disease is a frequent condition but clinical diagnosis can be chalenging. Less than 10% of the cases are symptomatic and symptoms are vague. Only between 1% to 2% will require surgical treatment.
Objective: To establish the prevalence of duodenal diverticulum (Dd) in patients who underwent abdominal computed tomography (CT).
Methods: A retrospective review of all cases with Dd identified incidentally during abdominal CT scan was performed. Clinical data regarding type, location, differential diagnosis and complications were recorded.
Results: During the study period 12,704 abdominal CT scans were performed and 50 patients with Dd were identified (prevalence 0.46%). Thirty patients were women (60%) and the mean patient age was 69 years (range: 23 - 93 years). In thirteen patients the Dd were located in the second portion (26%) and 24 in the third portion of the duodenum (48%). Three Dd were detected in the papillary region, one of them (2%) was complicated with hemorrhage and required surgical treatment.
Conclusions: Dd were detected in the 0.46% of the abdominal CT scans. Most of them were incidentally detected (94%). The prevalence of these lesions increases with age. Dd may mimic a cystic neoplasm in the head of the pancreas in 28% of cases and produce complications as bleeding in 2% of the cases.