Diverticulitis Flashcards
What is a diverticulum?
This is an outpouching of the mucosa of the large intestin
What is Diverticulosis?
These presence of Diverticulum
What is Diverticular Disease?
Symptoms caused by the presence of Diverticulae
What is Diverticulitis?
Acute inflammation of one or more diverticulae
Where do the majority of Diverticulae occur?
Sigmoid Colon
Epidemiology of Diverticular disease?
Mainly in older people
More common in females
Caused by a lack of fibre
Pathology?
The lack of fibre means the colon muscles have to work harder to move material along. This high pressure in the colon causes outpouches to be formed.
Symptoms?
Often Asymptomatic - Incidental finding
Ocasionally - LIF pain
Altered Bowel Habit
Diagnosis of Diverticular Disease?
Clinical
Barium Enema
Sigmoidoscopy
Complications of Diverticular Disease?
Acute Diverticulitis
- Malaise
- Fever
- LIF Pain
- Peritonism
Acute diverticulitis may progress to?
Fistula
Abscess
Peritonitis
Perforation
Treatment for acute diverticulitis?
Antibiotics = Mentronidazole
Fluids
Analgesia (Not Morphine)
Surgery
