Gastroenterology Search
Gastroenterology Gastroenterology
diverticulitis
DIVERTICULITIS
Diverticulitis is the acute inflammation of the diverticulum or saclike protrusion from the wall of the intestines caused by injury and bacterial proliferation. 
Abdominal pain is usually localized to the left lower quadrant, is abrupt, steady, severe and worsens over time.
Other signs and symptoms are fever, anorexia, nausea, vomiting, and altered bowel movements especially constipation but may also present with diarrhea or tenesmus.

Follow Up

Re-evaluation of the patient should be done after resolution of an attack of acute diverticulitis

  • Appropriate exams 6 weeks after recovery include colonoscopy or a combination of flexible sigmoidoscopy & barium enema
    • Establishes extent of disease & rules out polyps or carcinoma
  • Diverticulitis may result in formation of strictures which may have a carcinoma-like appearance & may need to be biopsied
  • Patient should be instructed to gradually resume a high-fiber diet
    • Long-term fiber supplementation may reduce recurrence of attacks
  • Surgery may be needed for recurrent attacks of diverticulitis
    • Elective surgery is not needed for patients responsive to medical treatment & not routinely recommended for either uncomplicated or complicated diverticulitis in young patients
  • Advise patients to avoid using non-Aspirin nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
Digital Edition
Asia's trusted medical magazine for healthcare professionals. Get your MIMS Gastroenterology - Malaysia digital copy today!
Sign In To Download
Editor's Recommendations
Most Read Articles
Does antioxidants supplementation improve pancreatic functions in chronic pancreatitis?
14 Feb 2020
Chronic pancreatitis patients taking antioxidants (AO) supplementation show a sustained increase in blood levels of AO, but no additional benefit is seen on endocrine and exocrine functions, markers of fibrosis, oxidative stress (OS) and inflammation, nutritional status, pain, and quality of life (QOL) when compared with those on placebo, according to a study.
How does a low-fat, high-fibre diet influence ulcerative colitis?
Jairia Dela Cruz, 19 Feb 2020
A diet low in fat and high in fibre seems well tolerated in patients with ulcerative colitis, not contributing to increased inflammation while significantly increasing populations of Faecalibacterium prausnitzii, according to a study presented at the 2020 Crohn's & Colitis Congress.
TRIM promotes symptom improvement, weight loss in patients with GERD, obesity
21 Jan 2018
The Reflux Improvement and Monitoring (TRIM) programme for the management of patients with obesity and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) appears to produce improvements in patient-reported symptom severity, quality of life and weight, a study reports.
Donor selection for FMT key to sustained UC remission
Pearl Toh, 14 Feb 2020
Donor selection for faecal microbiota transplant (FMT) can make a difference to maintenance of long-term remission in patients with ulcerative colitis (UC), reveals a study presented at the 2020 Crohn's & Colitis Congress (CCC).