GI Flashcards
1
Q
What is the first line imaging for suspected diverticulitis?
A
CT has high sensitivity (approximately 93%–97%) and specificity approaching 100% for the diagnosis. It also allows the extent of disease to be delineated. CT can reveal complications and other disease processes that cause lower abdominal pain, such as appendicitis or carcinoma, and may be of value in predicting the need for surgery. In patients with evidence of abscess on CT, conservative therapy often fails; CT findings can be used to stratify cases that should be referred for early surgical intervention.
