Diverticulitis

Question 1

What is diverticulitis?

What are the main causes? (2)

Answer 1

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

Pericolic abscess
Frank peritonitis

Question 2

Where is the common site at which it occurs?

Answer 2

The usual site is between the taenia coli which vessels pierce the muscle to supply the mucosa.

Question 3

Symptoms? (3)

Answer 3

Abdominal pain (lower, constant, dull)
Bleeding
Altered bowel habit
Fever

Question 4

Investigations?

Answer 4

Bloods: FBC, U&E’s, CRP, G&S
Cultures
CXR (Erect) - perforation
AXR - exclude peroration/obstruction

Question 5

Mx?

Answer 5

ABCDE
IV analgesia
IV fluids
Broad spectrum abx
NBM
Refer to surgeons