Table of Contents
Definition / general | Clinical features | Case reports | Treatment | Gross images | Microscopic (histologic) description | Microscopic (histologic) images | Differential diagnosisCite this page: Gulwani H. Diverticulitis. PathologyOutlines.com website. https://www.pathologyoutlines.com/topic/colondiverticulitis.html. Accessed April 18th, 2021.
Definition / general
- Begins as diverticulosis (colonic outpouchings), which may develop into diverticulitis (diverticular inflammation and perforation) (eMedicine #1, #2)
- May be due to obstruction of diverticulum by inspissated feces / fecolith, leading to bacterial overgrowth, gas and toxin production, mucosal injury (J Clin Gastroenterol 2008;42:1137)
- Radiologically may resemble carcinoma (World J Gastroenterol 2012;18:3623)
- May be more aggressive in younger patients (World J Gastroenterol 2006;12:2932)
- Chronic diverticulitis: distinct pathologic entity characterized by chronic obstructive symptoms and abdominal pain (AJR Am J Roentgenol 2008;191:522)
Clinical features
- Clinically may resemble appendicitis
Case reports
- 63 year old woman presenting with tubo-ovarian abscess and subsequent colon perforation (World J Gastrointest Surg 2011;3:70)
Treatment
- Liquid diet (bowel rest) and oral antibiotics; surgical resection if perforation, fistula, obstruction, persistent pain, hemorrhage, repeated attacks or immunocompromise (J Clin Gastroenterol 2006;40:S145)
Gross images
Microscopic (histologic) description
- Acute or chronic inflammatory infiltrate near base of diverticula; occasionally granulomatous inflammation
Microscopic (histologic) images
Differential diagnosis
- Crohn's disease: although both may coexist