Diverticular disease Flashcards
What is GI Diverticulum
Outpouching of the gut wall
Where are diverticulum usually located
Sites of entry of perforating arteries
Sigmoid colon
What is diverticulosis
Diverticulosis means that diverticula are present
What is diverticular disease
Diverticula are present and are symptomatic
What is diverticulitis
Inflammation of a diverticulum
What causes diverticular disease? Briefly describe the pathophysiology
- Lack of dietary fibre leads to high intraluminal pressure
- Causes mucosa to herniate through the muscle layers
Describe the symptoms of diverticulosis
Altered bowel habit with or without left sided colic
Relieved by defecation
How does a patient with acute diverticulitis present
Same as diverticulosis with:
- Pyrexia
- WCC raised
- CRP/ ESR raised
- Tender colon and localised peritonism
What is the management of non acute diverulosis
- high fibre diet
- anti-spasmodics
- surgical resection
What happens if diverticulitis leads to perforation
Ileus, peritonitis and shock
How should you treat perforation should it occur
Emergency laprascopic surgery or Hartmanns
What can perforation lead to
Fistulae
What should be done if there is an abcess of more than 3cm
CT guided aspiration
What are the indications for the surgery
- Perforation and peritonitis
- Sepsis
- Fistulae
- Obsruction
