Definitions
- Diverticula: pouches in bowel wall (a defect in the bowel wall continuity), usually from 0.5 – 1cm
- Diverticulosis: the presence of diverticula without symptoms
- Diverticulitis: inflammation of diverticula
- Often described to patients as “wear and tear of the bowel”
Diverticulosis
- Very common as people age
- Low fibre diets and obesity are risk factors
- Often diagnosed incidentally on colonoscopy or CT scan
- No treatment necessary, but advice regarding high fibre diet and weight loss is appropriate
Diverticulitis signs and symptoms
- Left iliac fossa / lower left abdominal pain and tenderness
- Fever
- Diarrhea
- PR blood / mucus
- Nausea and vomiting
Diverticulitis management
- Consider admission if unwell
- Antibiotics
- Analgesia
- Fluid resuscitation
- May require surgical resection if severely septic / peritonitic or develops complications
Diverticulitis complications
- Haemorrhage
- Perforation
- Abscess
- Fistula (e.g. between colon and bladder / vagina)
- Ileus / obstruction