Perforated jejunal diverticulitis in the setting of biologic therapy presenting as transverse Colon diverticulitis: A case report.

INTRODUCTION

Small bowel diverticula are a rare entity and are mostly found in the duodenum on diagnosis. Some common complications of this pathology include bleeding, obstruction, diverticulitis, and perforation. Furthermore, there is growing evidence supporting an association between biologic therapies and spontaneous intestinal perforation.

PRESENTATION OF CASE: We present a case of a 79-year-old female on prednisone, hydroxychloroquine, and tofacitinib for rheumatoid arthritis who was misdiagnosed with transverse colonic diverticulitis and eventually found to have perforated jejunal diverticulitis on laparotomy.

DISCUSSION: While tofacitinib has been associated with spontaneous intestinal perforation, it has not been documented as an aggravating factor in small bowel diverticular disease.

CONCLUSION

It is imperative to maintain a high index of suspicion for this pathology in immunosuppressed patients with an atypical presentation of diverticular disease.