Diverticulitis: Inflammation, irritation or infection of existing diverticulosis in the colon.
Manifestations:
- tenderness or pain in the lower left quadrant
- nausea
- vomiting
- slight fever
- elevated WBC
Diverticulitis: The diverticulosis complication
- inflammation with gross or microscopic perforation of the diverticulum.
- Perforation of the gut accompanied by peritonitis
- hemorrhage
- bowel obstruction
5. Fistulas formation:
- usually involving the bladder
- may involve skin
- perianal area
- small bowel
- Permaturia (air in the urine) = a sign of vesicosigmoid fistula
diagnosis
- Hx
- CT
- Ultrasound
- Flat abdominal radiographs
treatment.
- symptoms and complication prevention
- increased bulk in diet to increase intracolonic pressure and promote defecation
- bowel retraining so the individual has at least one bowel movement per day
- Acute diverticulitis is treated by withholding solid food and administering a broad-spectrum antibiotic.
- IV fluids may be needed for those unable to tolerate oral fluids
- Sx reserved for complications
Martin, Glenn and Porth, Carol, Mattson. 2009. Pathophysiology Concepts of Altered Health States. 8th ed. Lippincott Williams and Wilkins. Philadelphia
