Diverticulitis Signs and Symptoms
Definition
Diverticulitis: Inflammation of ≥1 diverticula
- Diverticula: Herniation of the mucosa & submucosa of the colonic wall that may fill with fecal material or undigested food particles
Signs and Symptoms
- Abdominal pain which is usually localized, abrupt, steady & may worsen over time
- In Asians, right-sided diverticulitis is more common & is an important differential diagnosis that may be confused with appendicitis
- Left-sided diverticulitis commonly involves the sigmoid colon & presents as left lower quadrant pain
- Fever
- Anorexia
- Nausea & vomiting (N/V)
- Altered bowel habits, commonly constipation but may also present with diarrhea or tenesmus
- The following may suggest complicated diverticulitis:
- Severe, generalized abdominal pain may be due to peritonitis
- Purulent or fecaloid vaginal discharge in patients with colovaginal fistulas
- Fecaluria or pneumaturia in patients with colovesicular fistulas
- Back or lower extremity pain in cases of retroperitoneal gut perforation