Diverticular disease + diverticulitis

Question 1

what are diverticula

Answer 1

when pouches of mucosa extrude through the colonic muscular wall via weakened areas near blood vessels

Question 2

diverticulosis

Answer 2

presence of diverticula

Question 3

diverticular disease

Answer 3

diverticula are symptomatic

Question 4

diverticulitis

Answer 4

inflammation of diverticular

occurs when faces obstruct the neck of the intestine

Question 5

what’s thought to be the cause

Answer 5

low fiber diet eaten in western populations

leads to increased intra-colonic pressure –> herniation of the mucosa at sites of weakness

Question 6

epidemiology

Answer 6

diverticula affect 50% of over 50s

but are asymptomatic in 95%!!!!

Question 7

what causes symptoms?

Answer 7

luminal narrowing –> pain and constipation

bleeding (can be massive)

diverticulitis

Question 8

how can diverticulitis present?

Answer 8

often incidental finding from barium enema/colonoscopy

LIF pain, fever, and nausea

Question 9

possible complications of diverticulitis

Answer 9

perforation, fistula formation or intestinal obstruction

Question 10

Dx tests for acute diverticulitis

Answer 10

CT scan or US

Question 11

treatment

Answer 11

acute attacks: antibiotics (cephalosporin and metronidazole)

surgery rare