Diverticular disease

Question 1

what is diverticular disease

Answer 1

consists of herniation of colonic mucosa through muscular wall of the colon

Question 2

What is the usual site of diverticular disease

Answer 2

between the taenia coli – rectum is usually spared because lacks taenia coli

Question 3

what is the difference between diverticulosis and diverticular disease

Answer 3

diverticulosis is just the present of diverticula

presence of symptoms means its referred to as diverticular disease

Question 4

What causes diverticula

Answer 4

due to increased intra-colonic pressure and usually occur along weaker areas of the wall

Question 5

what are some risk factors

Answer 5

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

Question 6

what are some complication

Answer 6

diverticulitis
haemorrhage
fistula
perforation and faecal peritonitis
perforation and development of abscess

Question 7

what would be history of someone presenting with diverticular disease

Answer 7

altered bowel habit
rectal bleeding
bloating
abdominal pain

Question 8

what would be history of someone presenting with diverticulitis

Answer 8

left iliac fossa pain
anorexia,nausea and vomitting
constipation
diarrhoea
feature of infection-n pyrexia, raised WBC and CRP

Question 9

what investigations are needed

Answer 9

-colonoscopy
-CT colonogram
-barium enema
-chest x ray
-abdominal x ray
-abdominal CT with oral and IV contrast

Question 10

when do you avoid a colonoscopy

Answer 10

in patients with suspected diverticulitis due to increased risk of perforation

Question 11

what is management of diverticulosis

Answer 11

-increase dietary fibre intake

Question 12

What is management of diverticulitis

Answer 12

oral antibiotics
liquid diet
analgesia

Question 13

What IV antibiotics should be given if symptoms don’t settle within 72 hours

Answer 13

Cephalosporin and Metronidazole