Diverticular Disease

Question 1

What is it?

Answer 1

Sac like herniations due to increased intraluminal pressure
Often occur in sigmoid colon

Question 2

What are the risk factors?

Answer 2

Obesity
Increasing age
Low fibre intake
Constipation

Question 3

What are features of acute diverticulitis?

Answer 3

Severe abdo pain in LIF
Systemic upset e.g. fever
PR bleeding

Can get abscess/perforation/peritonitis

Question 4

What are the investigations for acute diverticulitis?

Answer 4

1) CT AP
- shows mural thickening of the colon

Question 5

What is the management of acute diverticulitis?

Answer 5

Admit
- if systemically unwell
- evidence of complicated

Management in primary care
1) Co-amoxiclav 625mg TDS for 5 days
- if pen allergic then cefalexin 500mg TDS and metronidazole 400mg TDS for 5 days