Lemmel Syndrome: A Rare Cause of Obstructive Jaundice

Obstructive jaundice is a potentially life-threatening condition with multiple etiologies. Lemmel syndrome is a rare and intriguing cause of obstructive jaundice, most commonly associated with a periampullary duodenal diverticulum. This syndrome presents a diagnostic challenge because its features are often subtle and can mimic more common causes of biliary obstruction. We report a case of a 68-year-old patient who presented with acute abdominal pain, had a broad differential, and was ultimately diagnosed with Lemmel syndrome. This case emphasizes the importance of recognizing the syndrome, as its presentation can overlap with several other conditions.

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Publication Details

Journal
Cureus
Published
2025-11-28
DOI
https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.98012
Primary Topic
Pediatric Hepatobiliary Diseases and Treatments
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
0.00
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article

Lemmel Syndrome: A Rare Cause of Obstructive Jaundice

Peng Lee, Idan Grossmann, Natasha Campbell, Harshavardhan Sanekommu et al.
Cureus
Pediatric Hepatobiliary Diseases and Treatments
article

Lemmel Syndrome: A Rare Cause of Obstructive Jaundice

Peng Lee, Idan Grossmann, Natasha Campbell, Harshavardhan Sanekommu, Aubin Attila
article en

Abstract

Obstructive jaundice is a potentially life-threatening condition with multiple etiologies. Lemmel syndrome is a rare and intriguing cause of obstructive jaundice, most commonly associated with a periampullary duodenal diverticulum. This syndrome presents a diagnostic challenge because its features are often subtle and can mimic more common causes of biliary obstruction. We report a case of a 68-year-old patient who presented with acute abdominal pain, had a broad differential, and was ultimately diagnosed with Lemmel syndrome. This case emphasizes the importance of recognizing the syndrome, as its presentation can overlap with several other conditions.

CureusVol. 17(11)
Hackensack Meridian Health (US), Jersey Shore University Medical Center (US)
Openalex Percentile: Top 44%
Pediatric Hepatobiliary Diseases and Treatments
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