Diverticulitis Questions & Answers

Updated: Aug 06, 2019
  • Author: Elie M Ghoulam, MD, MS; Chief Editor: BS Anand, MD  more...
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Questions & Answers

Overview

What is diverticulitis?

What are the symptoms of diverticulitis?

Which physical findings indicate diverticulitis?

Which lab tests may be useful in the diagnosis of diverticulitis?

Which imaging methods are used to confirm the diagnosis of diverticulitis?

What is the role of the Hinchey classification for diverticulitis?

What is the treatment for mild diverticulitis?

Which antibiotics are effective in the treatment of diverticulitis?

What are the indications for hospital admission for diverticulitis?

What is included in inpatient treatment of diverticulitis?

When is antibiotic monotherapy indicated for the treatment of diverticulitis and which antibiotics are used?

What are the possible multiple-drug therapies for diverticulitis?

What should be considered when selecting medications for pain management in patients with diverticulitis?

What are the surgical indications for diverticulitis?

What is the spectrum of conditions included in diverticular disease?

What are diverticula and how are they differentiated from pseudodiverticula (false diverticula)?

What is the definition and pathogenesis of diverticulitis?

What is the role of dietary habits in the development of diverticulitis?

What is the pathophysiology of fistula formation in diverticulitis?

How do recurrent attacks of diverticulitis affect the colon?

What is the incidence of diverticulitis in the US?

How does the global incidence of diverticulitis vary?

Is there an age and/or gender predilection for diverticulitis?

What is the prognosis of diverticulitis?

How likely are patients with diverticulosis to develop diverticulitis?

What is the morbidity and mortality of diverticulosis?

Is obesity a risk factor for developing diverticulitis?

What are the possible complications of diverticulitis?

Presentation

What is the most common presenting complaint of diverticulitis?

What are the localized and systemic signs of diverticulitis?

What are the physical findings of uncomplicated diverticulitis?

What are the physical findings of complicated diverticulitis?

What are the physical findings of diverticulitis in elderly or immunocompromised patients?

What are the physical findings of diverticulitis in patients with a fistula?

DDX

What are the differential diagnoses for Diverticulitis?

Workup

How is the diagnosis of acute diverticulitis made?

What is the role of hemogram in the diagnosis of diverticulitis?

What is the role of blood chemistry testing in the diagnosis of diverticulitis?

What is the role of liver function tests in the diagnosis of diverticulitis?

What is the role of urinalysis and urine culture in the diagnosis of diverticulitis?

When are blood cultures indicated in the management of diverticulitis?

When is a pregnancy test indicated in the diagnosis of diverticulitis?

What is the role of CT scanning in the diagnosis of diverticulitis?

What is the role of barium contrast enema in the diagnosis of diverticulitis?

What is the role of radiography in the diagnosis of diverticulitis?

When are endoscopy and colonoscopy indicated in the diagnosis of diverticulitis?

What is the basis used for staging diverticulitis?

What is the clinical staging of diverticulitis using the Hinchey and modified Hinchey classifications?

Treatment

Which specialists may be consulted regarding the treatment and management of diverticulitis?

Which complications of diverticulitis require surgical intervention?

What are the guidelines for elective resection for the treatment of diverticulitis?

Is percutaneous drainage of an abscess effective treatment for diverticulitis?

Is conservative management an option for patients with acute uncomplicated diverticulitis?

Which patients are at risk for a more severe course of acute diverticulitis?

What are the treatment options for mild diverticulitis?

When is hospitalization indicated in patients with diverticulitis and which treatment options should be considered?

Which procedures should be performed once an initial acute episode of diverticulitis has resolved?

Which anti-inflammatory agents are effective for the management of diverticulitis?

When is a clear liquid diet indicated in patients with diverticulitis?

When is oral administration contraindicated in patients with diverticulitis?

What is the role of a high-fiber diet in patients with diverticulosis?

Should activity be restricted in patients with diverticulitis?

What is the likelihood that an initial episode of acute diverticulitis will require surgical intervention?

What are the surgical indications for diverticulitis?

When is elective surgery for diverticulitis indicated?

What are perioperative considerations for diverticulitis?

What are the ASCRS guidelines for emergency surgery for diverticulitis?

Which surgical procedures are performed for the emergency treatment of acute diverticulitis?

What are the AGA and WGO guidelines for elective surgery for diverticulitis?

What is the three-stage surgical approach for diverticulitis?

What are the surgical considerations for complicated diverticulitis?

Does a high-fiber diet reduce the incidence of diverticulitis and its complications?

What monitoring is required following an episode of acute diverticulitis?

What is virtual colonoscopy and is it effective for evaluating diverticulitis?

Medications

Which medications are used to treat diverticulitis?

Which medications in the drug class Antibiotics are used in the treatment of Diverticulitis?