Diverticulitis Flashcards
what is diverticulitis?
infection of a diverticulum, an out-pouching of the intestinal mucosa
what is diverticulosis?
presence of diverticula
what is diverticular disease?
diverticulosis + symptoms
what is the cause of diverticula?
increased intra-colonic pressure
where is the most common site of diverticula?
sigmoid colon
occur along the weaker areas of the wall such as where the penetrating arteries enter the colonic wall
what are the risk factors for diverticula?
- age
- lack of dietary fibre
- obesity - especially in younger patients
- sedentary lifestyle
how does diverticular disease present?
chronic history of:
* intermittent abdominal pain: particularly in LLQ
* bloating
* change in bowel habit
how does acute diverticulitis present?
- severe abdominal pain in the LLQ
- nausea and vomiting and vomiting (20-60%)
- change in bowel habit - most commonly constipation
- urinary frequency, urgency and dysuria
- PR bleeding
what is nausea and vomiting in diverticulitis due to?
can be due to ileus or complicated diveritculitis with colonic obstruction
what are the signs of complications in diverticulitis?
- pneumaturia or faecaluria = colovesical fistula
- vaginal passage of faeces or flatus = colovaginal fistula
what are the signs of diverticulitis?
- low-grade pyrexia
- tachycardia
- tender in LIF
- possibly reducing bowel sounds
what does guarding, rigidity and rebound tenderness indicate in diverticulitis?
perforation
what does lack of improvement with treatment of diverticulitis suggest?
absecess
what is seen on blood tests in diverticulitis?
- FBC = raised WCC
- CRP raised
what is seen on erect CXR in diverticulitis?
pneumoperitoneum –> perforation
