Diverticular And Diverticulitis Flashcards
(44 cards)
What is diverticular disease?
It consists of the herniation of colonic mucosa through the muscular wall of the colon.
Where is the usual site for diverticular disease?
Between the taenia coli where vessels pierce the muscle to supply the mucosa.
Which part of the colon is often spared in diverticular disease?
The rectum.
What are common symptoms of diverticular disease?
- Altered bowel habit
- Rectal bleeding
- Abdominal pain
What are some complications associated with diverticular disease?
- Diverticulitis
- Haemorrhage
- Development of fistula
- Perforation and faecal peritonitis
- Perforation and development of abscess
- Development of diverticular phlegmon
What diagnostic tests are typically performed for diverticular disease?
- Colonoscopy
- CT cologram
- Barium enema
What is the significance of plain abdominal films and erect chest x-ray in acute cases?
They will identify perforation.
What is the first-line investigation for suspected diverticulitis?
CT abdomen and pelvis with IV contrast.
What does a Hinchey classification I indicate?
Para-colonic abscess.
What does a Hinchey classification IV indicate?
Faecal peritonitis.
What initial management is recommended for mild attacks of diverticulitis?
Increase dietary fibre intake and manage conservatively with antibiotics.
What is diverticulitis?
The infection of a diverticulum, an out-pouching of the intestinal mucosa.
What is diverticulosis?
The presence of diverticula.
What are some risk factors for diverticular disease?
- Age
- Lack of dietary fibre
- Obesity
- Sedentary lifestyle
What are common chronic symptoms in patients with diverticular disease?
- Intermittent abdominal pain
- Bloating
- Change in bowel habit
What are acute symptoms of diverticulitis?
- Severe abdominal pain in the left lower quadrant
- Nausea and vomiting
- Change in bowel habit
- Urinary frequency, urgency or dysuria
- PR bleeding
What signs may indicate complicated diverticulitis?
- Low-grade pyrexia
- Tachycardia
- Tender LIF
- Guarding, rigidity, and rebound tenderness
What findings are associated with a CT abdomen and pelvis in diverticulitis?
- Bowel wall thickening
- Pericolic fat stranding
- Presence of diverticula ± abscess or perforation
How should mild cases of acute diverticulitis be managed?
Oral antibiotics, liquid diet, and analgesia.
Fill in the blank: Patients with diverticular disease typically present with a chronic history of _______.
Intermittent abdominal pain, bloating, change in bowel habit.
True or False: Most patients with diverticulosis will experience symptoms.
False.
What is the management approach for patients whose symptoms do not settle within 72 hours?
Admit to hospital for IV antibiotics.
What is diverticular disease?
It consists of the herniation of colonic mucosa through the muscular wall of the colon.
Where is the usual site for diverticular disease?
Between the taenia coli where vessels pierce the muscle to supply the mucosa.
