Diverticular Disease Flashcards
What is a diverticulum?
An outpouching of colonic mucosa at perforating artery sites (where arteries pierce the muscularis propria)
Are most diverticulum symptomatic or aswymptomatic?
95% are asymptomatic
Therefore only 5% considered diverticular disease
What is diverticulosis?
An asymptomatic outpouching of the colonic mucosa
What is diverticular disease?
A symptomatic outpouching of colonic mucosa
What is the vitelline duct?
Embryonic structure providing communication between the yolk and midgut during foetal development, Obliterates spontaneously.
What is diverticulitis?
Inflammation of a diverticulum (outpouching of colonic mucosa) eg from infection
What is Meckel’s diverticulitim?
Paediatric disorder
When small intestine developing, small pouch formed.
Possibly where the vitelline duct doesn’t obliterate
In many cases doesn’t cause problems but may produce acid like the stomach causing ulcers and bleeding.
How is Meckel’s diverticulum diagnosed?
Technetium scan (isotope into blood)
What are risk factors for diverticular disease?
Connective tissue disorders (ED and M)
Ageing
Increased colon pressure eg COPD and chronic cough
What are the triad of symptoms for diverticular disease?
Left lower quadrant pain
Constipation (inflammation, scarring and stenosis)
Fresh rectal bleeding
How is diverticular disease diagnosed?
CT abdominal/pelvis with contrast
What is treatment for diverticulosis (asymptomatic)?
Nothing, watch and wait
What is treatment for diverticular disease?
Bulk forming laxatives (act like fibre to retain fluid and encourage movement out)
Gold standard = surgery
Name a bulk forming laxative used for diverticular disease
Ispaghula husk
What is treatment for diverticulitis?
Antibiotics (co-amoxiclav) and paracetamol
IV fluid and liquid food
Rarely surgery
