Small bowel diverticulosis. A forgotten diagnosis.

Small bowel diverticulosis (SBD) have the lowest incidence of diverticulosis of the alimentary tract. The incidence differs from 0.09% to 2.3% depending on the reporting physician. SBD are pseudodiverticula, consisting of mucosa only. The causes of SBD are not clear, but the "locus minoris resistentiae" theory is most widely accepted. Overactive or irregular peristalsis bulges the mucosa out through vascular defects in the bowel wall. Only meticulous radiographic techniques can lead to a diagnosis. Preoperative diagnosis is exceptional. SBD can produce chronic abdominal discomfort. Acute complications are also numerously described, giving rise to a surgical emergency. Resection of the involved segment is then the only good procedure. Two cases presenting major complications are discussed, followed by a review of the literature.