Diverticular disease & Diverticultis Flashcards
Diverticulum?
Outpouching of the gut wall
Diverticulosis?
Presence of diverticula
Diverticular disease?
Diverticula which are symptomatic
Diverticulitis?
Inflammation of diverticulum
Complicated diverticular disease?
Diverticulitis with complications
Pathogenesis?
Low fibre diet
Colon has to work harder to move faeces ***
Risk factors?
- Western lifestyle- processed foods with low fibre
- Older patients
Symptoms and signs of diverticular disease?
Altered erratic bowel habit
Left iliac fossa colic
Similiar to IBS
Diverticulitis signs/symptoms?
- Severe pain in the LIF
- Fever
- Tachycardia
- Tenderness and guarding on LHS of abdomen on examination
- Similiar to appendicitis but on left instead of right
Guarding?
Muscles in abdomen tensing around an are of inflammation
Investigations for diverticular disease?
- Colonscopy/Sigmoidoscopy
- Barium enema
Investigations for diverticulitis?
- Raised ESR & CRP (inflammatory markers)
- CT
- DON’T do scope in acute attack (may cause perforation)
Complicated diverticultis complications?
- Perforation= can cause peritonitis, abscess
- Haemorrhage
- Fistula (bladder, vagina, other bowel parts)
- Stricture
What is the Hinchey classification used for?
Based on CT findings and used to determine the best treatment in diverticulitis complicated by abscess formation and peritonitis
How many stages in Hinchey classification?
