Diverticulosis and Diverticulitis
Definition
- Diverticulum = a pouch or sac in the wall of a hollow organ or structure
- Diverticula are generally multiple, and the condition is called diverticulosis
- If the diverticula cause symptoms, it’s called diverticular disease
- Obstruction of diverticula leads to inflammatory changes, leading to diverticulitis
Epidemiology
- Left-sided diverticulosis mainly in Westernized nations
- Right-sided diverticulosis mainly in Asia
- Prevalence < 30 years is 1-2%, however > 80 years is 50-66%
- 10-25% of patients with diverticulosis will develop diverticulitis
- Prevalence is approximately equal between men and women
o However, men have a higher chance of diverticular bleeding and women of
obstructions
Morphology
- Small, flak-like out-pouchings
- Usually 0,5 – 1,0 cm in diameter
- Occur in a regular distribution between the taenia coli
- Most common in the sigmoid colon, but other regions can also be affected
- Diverticula can easily be missed since they’re often surrounded by the epiploic
appendices on the surface of the colon
- Wall of the diverticulum is supported only by the muscularis mucosa and a thin layer
of subserosal adipose tissue inflammation and increased pressure within an
obstructed diverticulum can lead to perforation this can lead to peritonitis
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Definition
- Diverticulum = a pouch or sac in the wall of a hollow organ or structure
- Diverticula are generally multiple, and the condition is called diverticulosis
- If the diverticula cause symptoms, it’s called diverticular disease
- Obstruction of diverticula leads to inflammatory changes, leading to diverticulitis
Epidemiology
- Left-sided diverticulosis mainly in Westernized nations
- Right-sided diverticulosis mainly in Asia
- Prevalence < 30 years is 1-2%, however > 80 years is 50-66%
- 10-25% of patients with diverticulosis will develop diverticulitis
- Prevalence is approximately equal between men and women
o However, men have a higher chance of diverticular bleeding and women of
obstructions
Morphology
- Small, flak-like out-pouchings
- Usually 0,5 – 1,0 cm in diameter
- Occur in a regular distribution between the taenia coli
- Most common in the sigmoid colon, but other regions can also be affected
- Diverticula can easily be missed since they’re often surrounded by the epiploic
appendices on the surface of the colon
- Wall of the diverticulum is supported only by the muscularis mucosa and a thin layer
of subserosal adipose tissue inflammation and increased pressure within an
obstructed diverticulum can lead to perforation this can lead to peritonitis
@MyMedicalPulse 1
