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)

Giant Ascending Colonic Diverticulum Presenting With Intussusception

Diverticular disease of the colon is a common disease, and its incidence is increasing gradually. A giant colonic diverticulum (GCD) is a rare entity and is defined as a diverticulum greater than 4 cm in size. It mainly arises from the sigmoid colon, and possible etiology is a ball-valve mechanism permitting progressive enlargement. A plain abdominal X-ray can be helpful to make a diagnosis initially, and a barium enema and abdominal computed tomography may confirm the diagnosis. Surgical intervention is a definite treatment for a GCD. We report a case of an ascending GCD presenting with intussusception in a young adult.

Giant Ascending Colonic Diverticulum Presenting With Intussusception

Diverticular disease of the colon is a common disease, and its incidence is increasing gradually. A giant colonic diverticulum (GCD) is a rare entity and is defined as a diverticulum greater than 4 cm in size. It mainly arises from the sigmoid colon, and possible etiology is a ball-valve mechanism permitting progressive enlargement. A plain abdominal X-ray can be helpful to make a diagnosis initially, and a barium enema and abdominal computed tomography may confirm the diagnosis. Surgical intervention is a definite treatment for a GCD. We report a case of an ascending GCD presenting with intussusception in a young adult.

Divertículo gigante de colon: presentación de un caso / Giant colonic diverticulum: case report

El divertículo gigante de colon (DGC) es una rara complicación de la enfermedad diverticular. Se considera divertículo gigante cuando su diámetro supera los 4 cm. Descrito por primera vez en la literatura francesa en el año 1946, se han publicado hasta la fecha 155 casos. Nuestro paciente, de 59 años, refirió clínica de dolor abdominal leve de 4 meses de evolución. Se le solicitó un estudio de colon por enema, el que reveló una formación sacular de 15 cm en colon sigmoideo, de contenido aéreo y cuello corto, a través del cual se opacificó la cavidad con la sustancia baritada, confirmando el diagnóstico de DGC. Al paciente se le realizó, además, tomografía computada y resonancia magnética. El diagnóstico se confirmó con cirugía y estudio histopatológico. Se practicó una resección sigmoidea con DGC y anastomosis colorrectal lateroterminal. El estudio anatomopatológico informó DGC tipo II.

Giant colonic diverticulum is a rare diverticular disease complication. It is considered giant when its diameter is longer than 4 cms. It was reported the first time by french authors in 1946 and there is 155 cases reported in world literature. Our patient aged 59 years old, referred four month of abdominal pain. A barium enema was made showing a sigmoid cavity with air and fill of barium contrast with short neck continuing with the colon lumen. It was also studied with CT and MRI. The diagnosis was confirmed by surgery and histopathologic exam. The pathologic report informed giant colonic diverticulum type II.