Diverticular Disease PDF
Document Details
Uploaded by PreciousAltoFlute
Tags
Summary
This document provides an overview of diverticular disease, including its definition, aetiology, clinical features, and management. The document discusses the anatomy and function related to the disease. It also covers the symptoms and complications of diverticular disease, which can be quite severe.
Full Transcript
Diverticular Disease Overview Definition: o Diverticula: Pouches of mucosa protruding through weakened areas of the colonic muscular wall, near blood vessels. o Diverticulosis: Presence of diverticula. o Diverticulitis: Inflammation of diverticula...
Diverticular Disease Overview Definition: o Diverticula: Pouches of mucosa protruding through weakened areas of the colonic muscular wall, near blood vessels. o Diverticulosis: Presence of diverticula. o Diverticulitis: Inflammation of diverticula, often caused by faecal obstruction at the diverticulum neck. Prevalence: Affects 50% of the population over 50 years of age. Aetiology Exact cause unknown. Associated with low-fibre diets in Western populations: o Insufficient dietary fibre → Increased intracolonic pressure → Herniation of mucosa at sites of weakness. Clinical Features Asymptomatic in 95% of cases: o Often discovered incidentally during barium enema or colonoscopy. Symptomatic cases: o Luminal narrowing: Pain, constipation. o Bleeding: May be massive. o Diverticulitis: ▪ Symptoms: Left iliac fossa pain, fever, nausea. ▪ Complications: ▪ Perforation → Abscess or peritonitis. ▪ Fistula formation: Into bladder or vagina. ▪ Intestinal obstruction. Diagnosis of acute diverticulitis: CT scan or ultrasound. Management Acute diverticulitis: Treated with antibiotics (e.g., cephalosporin and metronidazole). Surgery: Rarely required, reserved for: o Complications (e.g., perforation, fistula, obstruction). o Frequent episodes of diverticulitis.
