Case series of right colon diverticulitis in the west: a neglected disease?

Introduction: Right colon diverticulitis (RCD) is an uncommon condition in Western populations, but its incidence has increased over the last decades. Due to its rarity, many surgeons are unfamiliar with this disease, which is often mistakenly diagnosed as acute appendicitis. The lack of data about the diagnosis and management of RCD in Western populations makes it difficult to establish the optimal therapeutic strategy. Objective: To evaluate the outcomes of patients treated for acute RCD and to propose a therapeutic algorithm for the diagnosis and treatment. Methods: A retrospective analysis of the medical records of patients treated for acute RCD between 2008 and 2020 by a single experienced colorectal surgeon was performed. Results: In total, 12 patients were identified, 8 male and 4 female subjects, with a mean age of 49.6 years; 9 of these patients were of Western origin. The median follow-up time was of 49 months (range: 12 to 144 months). The most frequent symptoms were abdominal pain (100%) and fever (66%). Diagnostic errors in imaging exams occurred in four patients. A total of 6 patients were managed clinically, and the other 6 underwent surgical treatment with right colectomy (n = 5) and total colectomy (n = 1), 2 via laparoscopy and 4 through a laparotomy. The anatomopathological examination confirmed RCD in all operated patients. There was no incidental finding of neoplasia and there were no deaths during the study period. Conclusion: Uncomplicated RCD can be treated conservatively with a high success rate. Recurrent cases that impact quality of life or complicated forms of RCD should undergo surgical treatment, preferably through a right laparoscopic colectomy. The authors present a diagnostic and therapeutic algorithm to facilitate the diagnosis and to guide the management of this uncommon disease. (AU)

Giant colonic diverticulitis, an extremely rare presentation of a rare disease: clinical presentation and literature review

Introduction: Giant colonic diverticulum (GCD) is rare phenomenon, with less than 200 cases described in the literature. One of the complications of GCD is diverticulitis. To date, there is paucity of data addressing the diagnosis and management of GCD complicated by acute diverticulitis. Objective: To better understand the diagnostic tools, the initial management, and the long-term follow-up for this group of patients as well as to recommend a proper multidisciplinary approach to this infrequent disease. Method A systematic literature search was performed using the PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane databases to identify all the published studies on GCD complicated by diverticulitis. Two of the authors assessed the relevance of the included full-text papers. The articles were assessed independently. Results: In total, 12 cases were identified. Our results show that 10/11 (91%) of the patients who had computed tomography (CT) scans during the initial evaluation had a correct diagnosis. There was no case of failure to non-operative approach (7/7). The patients who had an emergency operation were treated so due to diffuse peritonitis (two patients), acute hemorrhage arising from ulcers within the diverticula (one patient), and misdiagnosis (one patient). Conclusion: Giant colonic diverticulitis is a very rare disease. Computed tomography scan is a valuable tool for the initial diagnosis as well as for treatment strategy planning. Non-operative management is a viable option for patients without diffuse peritonitis. Interval endoscopy is recommended if no contraindication exists. (AU)

Diverticulitis aguda del colon izquierdo, nivel de consenso y de aplicación de las Guías de Práctica Clínica: entre miembros de la SACP / Left colonic acute diverticulitis. Level of consensus and Clinical Guidelines Implementation: paper to apply for SACP active membership

Contexto y antecedentes: La elaboración e implementación de guías clínicas pretende brindar ayuda en la toma de decisiones respecto de un determinado problema de salud, sintetizando en forma de recomendaciones la mejor evidencia disponible. Con respecto a la diverticulitis aguda, pese a la gran cantidad de guías que se han elaborado, aún hoy se observa un bajo nivel de consenso en varios aspectos de su manejo. Objetivos: Este trabajo representa la primera encuesta que mide el nivel de consenso y la aplicación de guías internacionales sobre el manejo de la diverticulitis aguda entre los miembros de la SACP o entre cualquier otra agrupación médica a nivel nacional. Métodos: Se distribuyó una encuesta online a 313 miembros de la SACP, las respuestas se recolectaron en un período de 2 meses. Resultados: La encuesta obtuvo una tasa de respuesta de 19,5%. Solo 17 enunciados superaron el corte de 70% de nivel de consenso. De ellos, 11 enunciados estuvieron de acuerdo mientras que 2 enunciados estuvieron en desacuerdo con las recomendaciones de las guías internacionales y en los 4 enunciados restantes no pudo valorarse la concordancia debido a falta de respuesta univoca en las guías. Conclusiones: La amplia heterogeneidad en el manejo de la diverticulitis aguda entre los miembros de la SACP junto con la baja evidencia de los trabajos científicos, la pobre metodología empleada en las guías internacionales y la necesidad de contar con datos locales sobre costos y preferencias, hacen evidente la necesidad que en nuestro ámbito se comience a investigar en forma sistematizada para lograr una guía y consenso nacional.

Background: Construction and elaboration of clinical guidelines aim to provide help to decision-taking process about a specific health issue, synthesizing the best available evidence in the form of recommendations. About acute diverticulitis, although many guidelines were published in the last years, even now, there is a low consensus level in many aspects of its management. Aim: This survey is the first one that measures the consensus level and the application of international guidelines, about acute diverticulitis, within the SACP members, or any other medical society in Argentina. Methods: An online survey was distributed to 313 SACP members; the responses were collected over two months. Results: The response rate obtained by the survey was 19,5%. Only 17 statements passed the consensus level of 70%, 11 of them agreed and 2 disagreed with the recommendations of the international guidelines, in the last 4 statements comparison was impossible because the guidelines lacked one single response. Conclusions: The large heterogeneity in the management of acute diverticulitis within the SACP members, along with the low evidence of the scientific publications, the poor methodology used in the guidelines, and the need of local data about costs and preferences, clearly demonstrates the necessity to start to investigate in a systematic way, in order to achieve a national guideline and consensus about acute diverticulitis.

Manejo conservador en diverticulitis aguda perforada con aire extraluminal / Conservative management of perforated diverticulitis with extraluminal air

Resumen Introducción: El tratamiento óptimo de la diverticulitis perforada con aire extraluminal (DPA) es materia de debate. El manejo conservador es controversial; en casos seleccionados puede ofrecer menor morbimortalidad y evitar una ostomía. Objetivo: Describir las características clínicas, imagenológicas, necesidad de intervención quirúrgica y morbimortalidad de pacientes con DPA tratados con manejo conservador. Materiales y Método: Estudio descriptivo retrospectivo de pacientes hospitalizados con diagnóstico de DPA hemodinámicamente estables sin evidencia de peritonitis entre los años 2009 y 2015. Resultados: Se hospitalizaron 162 pacientes con diagnóstico de diverticulitis aguda (DA), el 53,1% fueron diverticulitis agudas complicadas (DC), de las cuales el 43% (37 casos) eran DPA, la edad promedio fue 59,6 años, la mayoría eran mujeres (54,1%). Las manifestaciones clínicas más comunes fueron dolor abdominal (97,3%), signos peritoneales (59,5%) y fiebre (40,5%). La tomografía axial computada de abdomen y pelvis (TC AP) mostró burbujas extracolónicas en el 78,4% y neumoperitoneo en el 21,6%. El manejo conservador fue exitoso en el 87,8%. Durante el seguimiento de 71,2 meses la recurrencia fue 28,1% y el 31,3% se realizó sigmoidectomía electiva. La falla del tratamiento médico se presentó en 5 casos (12,2%), uno de los cuales fallece. Conclusión: el manejo conservador de la DPA es una alternativa válida de tratamiento con alto porcentaje de éxito en pacientes hospitalizados seleccionados. La decisión de cirugía de urgencia y de sigmoidectomía electiva posterior a una DPA tratada médicamente debe ser individualizada.

Background: The conservative management of perforated diverticulitis with extraluminal air (PDA) is controversial. In selected hospitalized patients may offer less morbidity and mortality and avoid an ostomy. Aim: To describe its clinical and imagenologic characteristics, the need for surgical procedure and morbimortality of patients with perforated diverticulitis with extraluminal air in conservative management. Materials and Methods: Retrospective descriptive study of hemodynamically stable hospitalized patients with a PDA diagnosis without evidence of peritonitis during the years 2009 and 2015. Results: 162 patients were admitted with the diagnosis of acute diverticulitis. 53.1% of cases were acute complicated diverticulitis, 43% (37 cases) were PDA. The average age was 59.6 years and most of them women (54.1%). The most common clinical manifestations were abdominal pain (97.3%), peritoneal signs (59.5%) and fever (40.5%). The abdomen and pelvic computerized axial tomography scan showed extra-colonic bubbles in 78.4% and pneumoperitoneum in 21.6%. The conservative management was successful in 87.8% of cases. After a 71.2-month follow-up, the recurrence was 28.1% and 31.3% had an elective sigmoidectomy. 5 cases did not respond to medical treatment, one of them resulting in death. Conclusion: The conservative management of PDA is a valid treatment option with a high degree of success in the selected sample of hospitalized patients. The decision of having emergency surgery and elective sigmoidectomy post DPA should be evaluated individually.

Diverticulite aguda / Acute diverticulitis

Objetivos: O objetivo deste estudo foi aprimorar o cuidado ao paciente com diverticulite aguda através de uma revisão da literatura relevante no tema, com foco em diagnóstico e manejo da condição. Métodos: Revisão de literatura, com consulta de artigos científicos no banco de dados PubMed e escolha de bibliografia por tempo de publicação inferior a 5 anos, estrutura em formato de guidelines e foco em diagnóstico e manejo. Resultados: A revisão apontou que a diverticulite possui maior prevalência a partir da 5ª década de vida e acomete mais comumente cólon sigmoide. A manifestação de dor em cólica na fossa ilíaca esquerda está presente em 70% dos pacientes, sendo que na agudização do quadro surgem sinais inflamatórios e irritação peritoneal. Outros sintomas frequentes são febre baixa e constipação. O diagnóstico normalmente é clínico, com exames complementares utilizados principalmente em quadros duvidosos e investigação de complicações da condição. O tratamento depende diretamente da presença de complicações, sendo este o fator determinante da escolha entre manejo conservador com analgesia e antibioticoterapia ou tratamento cirúrgico. Conclusões: Apesar do aprimoramento expressivo das diretrizes na última década, ainda é imperativa a busca de evidências mais robustas para o planejamento de tratamentos com o devido embasamento científico.

Aims: This study's objective was to improvethe healthcare of patients with acute diverticulitis, through a literature review of relevant scientific knowledge about this condition. Methods: A literature review was performed, with scientific articles searched in the PubMed Databases and bibliography chose according to publication date of 5 years or less, article structured in guideline format and with focus on diagnosis and available treatments. Results: The review indicated that diverticulitis has a higher prevalence at the fifth decade of life and affects more commonly the sigmoid colon. The manifestation of pain in left lower abdominal quadrant is present in 70% of the patients, with signs of peritoneal irritation. Other common symptoms are a low fever and constipation. The diagnosis is usually based on clinical signs, with complementary exams used mainly in doubtful cases and investigation of complications. Treatment depends directly on the presence of complications, which is the main factor for the choice between conservative treatment with analgesia and antibiotic therapy or surgery. Conclusions: Despite the improvement in guidelines during the last decade, it is important to continue the search for more evidence in order to plan clinical care with more robust scientific basis.

Oclusión intestinal por fitobezoar en una paciente con enfermedad diverticular del colon / Intestinal occlusion for fitobezoar in pacente with disease diverticular of colon

La oclusión intestinal es una entidad del abdomen agudo quirúrgico que a diario se atienden en el servicio de urgencias del hospital general "Calixto García". Las causas mecánicas son las más habituales, dentro de ellas el fitobezoar no ocupa un lugar importante, aunque tampoco es rara verla. En los pacientes que han sufrido alguna enfermedad inflamatoria intestinal u operación es probable que ocurra un episodio de oclusión por obstrucción de su luz. El fitobezoar generalmente requiere tratamiento quirúrgico cualquiera que sea su localización. Se citan trabajos que refieren resultados positivos con tratamiento médico a base de celulosa(AU)

Intestinal intussusception, defined as penetration of an intestinal segment into an adjacent, is a rare cause of intestinal obstruction in adults. The aim of this paper is to present the case of an adult patient with ileocolic intussusception as presenting a non-Hodgkin lymphoma of the small intestine. This patient has a rare cause of intestinal intussusception. Because of its non-specific clinical, etiologic diagnosis is usually intraoperative, requiring resection of the culprit lesion and, in the case of our patient, adjuvant chemotherapy(AU)

Manejo del absceso diverticular / Management of the diverticular abscess

Introducción: el absceso diverticular (AD) es la complicación más común de la diverticulitis. Actualmente no hay consenso en definir su mejor estrategia terapéutica. Objetivos: describir las características clínicas de los pacientes con AD y su evolución según tamaño, ubicación y manejo. Material y Método: estudio descriptivo de pacientes con AD hospitalizados en el Hospital Militar, durante el período 2009-2012. Resultados: se hospitalizaron 22 pacientes con diagnóstico de AD, con edad promedio de 65.2 años, el 63% eran mujeres, y las comorbilidades más frecuentes fueron hipertensión arterial, diabetes mellitus e hipotiroidismo. Todos consultaron por dolor abdominal y se encontraban hemodinámicamente estables al ingreso. 15 casos eran AD pericolónicos: 7 AD = 3 cm con buena respuesta a tratamiento médico; 4 AD de 3-5 cm, en este grupo se instaló drenaje percutáneo (DPC) en 3 pacientes de los cuales 2 requirieron cirugía; 4 AD > 5 cm, sólo en un caso se realizó DPC y ningún paciente requirió cirugía. Siete casos eran AD pélvicos o retroperitoneales: 4 AD de 3-5 cm con respuesta favorable a manejo médico; 3 AD > 5 cm, sólo un caso se manejó con DPC y ninguno requirió cirugía. Se realizó una sigmoidectomía electiva sólo en 5 casos, los 15 pacientes restantes han evolucionado satisfactoriamente durante 15.73 meses de seguimiento. No hay mortalidad en esta serie. Conclusión: es factible el manejo conservador de AD > 5 cm de diámetro. No hay mayor recurrencia de diverticulitis en pacientes con AD, independiente del tamaño, ubicación y manejo inicial.

Background: diverticular Abscess (DA) is the most common complication of diverticulitis. Currently, there is no consensus on defining the best therapeutic strategy against it. Objectives: to describe the clinical characteristics of DA patients and their evolution according to size, location and management. Materials and Methods: descriptive study of DA patients hospitalized in Militar Hospital in the period 2009-2012. Results: 22 patients diagnosed with DA were hospitalized (mean age was 65.2, 63% being women). The most frequent comorbidities were high blood pressure, diabetes mellitus and hipothyroidism. All the patients complained about abdominal pain and were hemodynamically stable when admitted. Fifteen cases were pericolonic DA: 7 DA = 3 cm responding well to medical treatment; 4 DS between 3-5 cm (in this group, percutaneous drainage (PCD) was applied to 3 patients, out of which 2 required surgery); 4 AD > 5 cm (in this group, PD was applied to only one patient and none required surgery). Elective sigmoidectomy was performed in only 5 cases; the other 15 patients have recovered satisfactorily during 15.73 months of follow-up. There is no mortality in this series. Conclusion: conservative management of DA > 5 cm in diameter is feasible. There is no considerable recurrence of diverticulitis in DA patients, despite the size, location and early management.

Diverticulitis de la flexura hepática del colon / Colonic hepatic flexure diverticulitis

Objective: Right colon diverticulitis is a rare entity in our means. Frequently, this entity is mistaken for other abdominal conditions, usually appendicitis, right colon cancer or acute cholecystitis. We found no specific reports about their location in the hepatic flexure of the colon. Material and Method: 58-years-old male who consulted the emergency department with abdominal pain and palpable mass in right upper quadrant. Abdominal CT revealed diverticulitis of the hepatic flexure of the colon. Results: Successful outcome with medical treatment. The patient is asymptomatic at 3 months of follow. Conclusion: Diverticulitis of the hepatic flexure of the colon is a rare entity that can mimic other diseases and usually responds to conservative treatment.

Introducción: La diverticulitis del colon derecho es una entidad poco frecuente en nuestro medio. Con relativa frecuencia, esta entidad es confundida con otros procesos abdominales, habitualmente apendicitis, cáncer de colon derecho o colecistitis aguda. No encontramos reportes específicos sobre su localización en la flexura hepática del colon. Material y Método: Varón 58 años quien consultó en urgencias por dolor abdominal y masa palpable en hipocondrio derecho. Se realiza TC abdominal que revela diverticulitis del ángulo hepático del colon. Resultados: buena evolución con tratamiento médico; el paciente se encuentra asintomático a tres meses del alta. Conclusión: La diverticulitis del ángulo hepático del colon es una entidad poco habitual, que puede simular otras patologías y que habitualmente responde al tratamiento conservador.

Lavado peritoneal laparoscópico como tratamiento de diverticulitis aguda perforada / Laparoscopic peritoneal lavage as treatment for acute perforated diverticulitis

Introduction: Sigmoid diverticular disease is common in the occidental world and it is responsible for a great number of hospitalizations. The prevalence of diverticular disease increases with age and only in few cases it is manifest as diverticulitis. Diverticulitis produces variable clinical manifestations, ranging from simple inflammation that only requires medical management, to a life threatening condition, due to a free perforation that requires urgent surgery. Clinical case: In this article we present a clinical case of complicated diverticulitis with free perforation treated with laparoscopic peritoneal lavage.

Introducción: La enfermedad diverticular es muy común en el mundo occidental y es responsable de un gran número de hospitalizaciones. La prevalencia de la enfermedad diverticular aumenta con la edad y sólo en pocos casos se presenta como diverticulitis. La diverticulitis produce manifestaciones clínicas variables que van desde la simple inflamación que sólo requiere tratamiento médico, a una condición potencialmente mortal, debido a una perforación libre que requiere cirugía de urgencias. Caso clínico: Se presenta un caso clínico de diverticulitis complicada con perforación libre manejado con lavado peritoneal laparoscópico.

Diverticulitis perforada: alternativas de manejo quirúrgico. Caso clínico y revisión de literatura / Perforated diverticulitis: alternatives of surgical management. Case report and literature review

Sigmoid diverticular disease is common in the occidental world and it is responsible for a great number of hospitalizations. The prevalence of diverticular disease increases with age and only in few cases it is manifest as diverticulitis. Diverticulitis produces variable clinical manifestations, ranging from simple inflammation that only requires medical management, to a life threatening condition, due to a free perforation that requires urgent surgical management. Surgical management is recommended after the first attack of complicated diverticulitis, due to the elevated rate of recurrence after successful medical treatment. In this article we present a clinical case of complicated diverticulitis with free perforation treated with laparoscopic peritoneal lavage, and we make a review of the different surgical alternatives, such as Hartmann's operation, resection with primary anastomosis and laparoscopic peritoneal lavage (AU)

Diverticulitis aguda colónica: etiología, diagnóstico y alternativas terapéuticas / Acute colonic diverticulitis: etiology, diagnosis and therapeutic alternatives

La enfermedad diverticular es una patología frecuente en nuestra población, la cual corresponde a la herniación de la mucosa a través de puntos de debilidad en la pared colónica. La inflamación y/o perforación de los divertículos suele provocar un cuadro clínico de urgencia, el cual debe ser diagnosticado y resuelto de forma óptima. El diagnóstico clínico se confirma con la tomografía computada de abdomen y pelvis, y de acuerdo a los hallazgos se clasifica y decide la terapeútica adecuada. En los casos de diverticulitis simple donde solo ocurre la inflamación del divertículo, el reposo intestinal y los antibióticos endovenosos son la terapia más efectiva. Ante la presencia de diverticulitis complicada (absceso, peritonitis purulenta o fecaloidea) existen múltiples opciones que comprenden desde el drenaje del absceso vía percutánea, operación de Hartmann, resección y anastomosis primaria, y lavado laparoscópico. En el presente artículo se expone la etiopatogenia, diagnóstico, tratamiento médico y las múltiples alternativas quirúrgicas en los pacientes con diverticulitis aguda complicada.

Diverticular disease of the colon is a quite frecuent pathology in our population, this refers to small outpouchings from the colonic lumen due to mucosal herniation through the colonic wall .Inflammation and/or perforation of the diverticula usually cause a clinical emergency which must be diagnosed and solved optimally. Clinical diagnosis must be confirmed by an abdominal and pelvic computed tomography scanning, according to the findings should be classified and decide on appropriate treatment. Patients with simple diverticulitis, inflammation of diverticulum only, should be hospitalized and treated with bowel rest and intravenous antibiotics. In the presence of complicated diverticulitis (abscess, purulent or fecaloid peritonitis) there are multiple options ranging from: percutaneous abscess drainage, laparoscopic lavage, resection and primary anastomosis, and Hartmann resection. The following article describes the pathogenesis, diagnosis, medical treatment and surgical options for patients with complicated acute diverticulitis.

Atualização no tratamento da diverticulite aguda do cólon / Recent evidences in the management of acute diverticulitis

Nas últimas décadas a incidência da moléstia diverticular do cólon e de suas complicações tem aumentado. Durante esse período o número de publicações a respeito do tema se expandiu, bem como as opções terapêuticas. Apesar disso, muitas dúvidas persistem e as decisões terapêuticas continuam relativamente imutadas, baseadas muitas vezes em dados antigos e de baixo poder estatístico. Nesta revisão apresentamos as evidências científicas atuais acerca da terapêutica desta complexa patologia.

During the past decades the incidence of diverticular disease of the colon and its complications has increased as well as the therapeutic options have expanded. However, there are still remaining doubts about the timing of surgery indication, the access (open vs laparoscopic) and the best approach to complicated diverticulitis. The current decisions are mostly based in old data of poor statistic strength. This review shows the present-day evidence about the treatment of diverticular disease.

Colitis diverticular: caso clínico y revisión de literatura / Diverticular colitis disease: case report and review of literature

Estudios recientes han descrito en el sigmoides una colitis segmentaria que compromete el área peridiverticular, la cual respeta el resto del colon y recto. Esta enfermedad es similar a la colitis ulcerosa en su cuadro clínico, apariencia endoscópica e histológica, sin embargo, por definición respeta la mucosa rectal y el colon proximal al sigmoides. Se han descrito casos de progresión de colitis segmentaria a colitis ulcerosa.

Recent articles have described a segmental colitis involving an area of diverticulosis at the sigmoid colon level, but sparing the rest of bowel. This disease is similar to ulcerative colitis in its clinical presentation and endoscopic and histologic appearance, however by definition does not involve the rectum or proximal colon. Few cases have been reported in which there was progression from segmental colitis to typical chronic ulcerative colitis.

Acesso vídeo-laparoscópico no tratamento cirúrgico da diverticulite aguda / The vídeolaparoscopic access in the surgical treatment of acute diverticular disease

A revisão de conceitos baseada na literatura recente relacionada ao tratamento da doença diverticular dos cólons pelo acesso vídeolaparoscópico é apresentada ao lado das indicações de formas de tratamento clássicas. A dupla abordagem videolaparoscópica, imediata para tratamento da peritonite seguida da ressecção tornada eletiva é a modalidade nova na literatura, mas ainda não padronizada. Discutem os autores dados relativos a esta tática e de outros estudos que podem ampliar o emprego desta abordagem.

This review is based on standards of treatment for diverticular disease, both classical and new ones due to cumulated videolaparoscopic experience. The sequential double videolaparoscopic procedure for acute diverticulitis is discussed along with data from other studies supporting this novel modality of surgical treatment.

Doença diverticular colônica (DDC) / Diverticular disease of the colon (DDC)

A doença diverticular do cólon (DDC) é um distúrbio comum e, apesar de causar sintomas inespecíficos ou pouco relevantes na maioria dos casos, pode desenvolver complicações potencialmente fatais em alguns pacientes. Neste artigo säo discutidos aspectos relacionados à abordagem e atualidades no acompanhamento do paciente portador de DDC

Doença diverticular dos cólons - aspectos clínicos, diagnóstico e tratamento / The diverticular disease - clinical aspects, diagnosis and treatment

A diverticulose é doença adquirida, comum principalmente entre as pessoas mais idosas. Acredita-se que tenha como principal fator etiológico hábitos dietéticos relacionados ao refinamento da dieta industrializada. Pode ter um caráter benigno de evoluçäo e ser totalmente assintomática, mas pode, também, caracterizar-se como moléstia de sinais e sintomas violentos, com considerável morbidade e altos índices de mortalidade, constituindo-se portando, nos países do primeiro mundo, em destacável problema de saúde pública, razäo pela qual merece atençäo e estudo continuado

Divertículo gigante del colon: a propósito de un caso y revisión de la literatura / Giant colonic diverticulum: report of a case and review of literature

Comunicar una presentación inusual de enfermedad diverticular de colon. Descripción del caso clínico que se manifestó semiológicamente como un tumor abdominal y revisión de la literatura. Hospital "Carlos J. Bello", Cruz Roja Venezolana, Caracas. El diagnóstico de un divertículo "gigante" del colon sigmoide es establecido. La manifestación de enfermedad diverticular de colon bajo la forma de divertículo "gigante" es muy rara. Reportes dispersos en la literatura indican su inusual naturaleza. El tratamiento debe ser quirúrgico antes de que aparezcan complicaciones