Diverticular Disease Flashcards
what are diverticula?
mucosal out-pouches in the colonic musculature
what is diverticulosis?
the presence of diverticula without symptoms
what is diverticular disease?
symptomatic diverticula with no inflammation or infection
what is diverticulitis?
symptomatic diverticula with inflammation or infection
how do diverticula occur?
- high intraluminal pressure within the bowel causes thinning of the bowel bowel
- pouches of mucosa push through + develop into an out-pouch
what are the risk factors for diverticular disease?
- age >40
- low-fibre diet
- smoking
- obesity
- NSAIDs
- opioids
what are the symptoms of diverticulitis?
- pain in the left lower quadrant
- change in bowel habit
- rectal bleeding
- bloating
- nausea + vomiting
- anorexia
- tachycardia
- fever
what are the investigations for diverticulits?
- CT abdomen + pelvis with contrast
- colonoscopy
what is the management of acute diverticulitis?
co-amoxiclav for five days
*co-trimoxazole or metronidazole
what is the surgical management of diverticulitis?
- hartmann’s procedure
- primary anastomosis
how is peritonitis treated in diverticulitis?
- purulent peritonitis - laparoscopic lavage or resection
- faeculant peritonitis - colonic resection
how is a diverticular abscess treated?
CT- guided percutaneous drainage
what is the management of diverticular disease?
- high-fibre diet
- hydration
- bulk-forming laxative
what are the long-term complications of diverticular disease?
- abscess
- perforation
- sepsis
- fistulation
- obstruction
- bleeding
