diverticulitis

Question 1

what is diverticulitis?

Answer 1

infection of the diverticulum

Question 2

what is the diverticulum?

Answer 2

out-pouching of the intestinal mucosa.

Question 3

risk factors

Answer 3

age
lack of dietary fibre
obesity: especially in younger patients
sedentary lifestyle

Question 4

patients with diverticular disease typically present with a chronic history of:

Answer 4

intermittent abdominal pain. LLQ
bloating
change in bowel habit: constipation or diarrhoea.

Question 5

in asian patients where can pain present?

Answer 5

right lower quadrant

Question 6

where does pain typically represent?

Answer 6

left lower quadrant

Question 7

what other symptoms can arise?

Answer 7

nausea and vomiting
change in bowel habit
urinary frequency, urgency or dysuria
PR bleeding

Question 8

signs that can arise?

Answer 8

low-grade pyrexia
tachycardia
tender LIF
possibly reduced bowel sounds

Question 9

investigations

Answer 9

CT, colonoscopy, AXR,

Question 10

management for mild cases

Answer 10

oral antibiotics, liquid diet and analgesia

Question 11

if patients symptoms don’t settle within 72 hours what should happen?

Answer 11

patient should be admitted to hospital for IV antibiotics