Diverticulitis

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  • Diverticulitis

Diverticulitis Detail 🌳 View as Mindmap

Etiology

  • Diverticulae are outpourings of colonic mucosa and subcuosa, herniating thru muscular layer at weak points where vessels penetrate the wall
  • Diverticulosis is common, occurring in >50% over age 60; typically in sigmoid colon; less commonly ascending colon
  • Diverticulosis is asymptomatic unless infected (diverticulitis) or bleed

Risk Factors

  • Smoking, obesity, physical inactivity
  • NSAID use, low fiber diet
  • Recurrence rate after one episode of uncomplicated diverticulitis is 10-35%

Symptoms

  • Fever
  • Nausea
  • LLQ, lower abdomen pain
  • RLQ symptoms w/right sided diverticulitis

Physical Exam Findings

  • Fever
  • Pain in LLQ
  • With peritonitis→rebound, guarding, shake tenderness

Tests