Diverticulitis resident survival guide

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Andrea Tamayo Soto [2]

Management

Diagnostic Approach

Shown below is an algorithm depicting the diagnostic approach to diverticulitis according to the American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons and the American Journal of Gastroenterology

Characterize the symptoms: ❑ Abdominal pain ❑ Lower left quadrant ❑ Abdominal or preirectal fullness ❑ Fever ❑ Leukocytosis ❑ Nausea ❑ Vomits ❑ Fecaluria ❑ Pneumaturia ❑ Pyuria
Obtain a detailed history: ❑ Age ❑ Previous history of diverticular disease ❑ Previous episodes of diverticulitis ❑ Chronic Abdominal pain ❑ Previous history of abdominal surgery ❑ Dietary regime ❑ History of: ❑ Irritable bowel syndrome ❑ Inflammatory bowel disease ❑ Colitis ❑ Immunodeficiency
Examine the patient: ❑ Ectoscopy: ❑ Obesity ❑ Measure the heart rate ❑ Measure the temperature ❑ Abdomen: ❑ Rigidty ❑ Tendernes
Order labs and tests: ❑ CT ❑ Blood Count: ❑ Leukocytes ❑ Abdominal X-rays with soluble contrast ❑ Urianalysis

Therapeutic Approach

Shown below is an algorithm depicting the therapeutic approach to diverticulitis according to the American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons and the American Journal of Gastroenterology

European Association for Endoscopic Surgery clinical Classification

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Grades	Clinical Description
Grade I symptomatic uncomplicated disease	Fever Abdominal pain
Grade II recurrent symptomatic disease	Recurrence of above
Grade III complicated disease	Abscess Hemorrhage Fistula Phelgmom Perforation Obstruction Purulent and fecal peritonitis

Buckley Classification

	CT Findings
Mild	Bowel wall thickening
Moderate	Bowel wall thickening > 3mm Phelgmon or small abscess
Severe	Bowel wall thickening > 5mm Perforation with subdiaphragmatic free air Abscess > 5mm

Hinchey's Classification

Stages	CT Findings
Stage 1	small confined precolic or mesenteric abscess
Stage 2	Large abscess confined to the pelvis
Stage 3	Perforated diverticulitis Peridiverticular abscess has ruptured
Stage 4	Free rupture of diverticula into the peritoneal cavity

References

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