Diagnosis and Treatment of Colon Diverticulitis / 대한내과학회지

ABSTRACT

Colonic diverticular disease is the common conditions in industrialized and westernized countries, but it is relatively rare in areas such as Asia. Colonic diverticula are asymptomatic in most cases, only 10-25% develop diverticulitis and 1% finally gets surgery. The location of colonic diverticulitis are significantly different in Western countries and Asia. Left-sided diverticulitis is common in Western countries, while in Asians, right-sided diverticulitis is more prevalent. A CT scans is commonly used to diagnose diverticulitis and its complication such as abscess, obstruction, fistula and perforation. It also has been used in percutaneous drainage of diverticular abscess and predicting the success of medical therapy. After resolution of clinical attack of diverticulitis, colonoscopy can be performed to exclude colon cancer. The current therapeutic approaches for colonic diverticulitis are relieving symptoms and preventing complications. Uncomplicated diverticulitis is successfully treated with antibiotics, bowel rest and pain control, while complicated diverticulitis require surgical consultation. Treatment strategy of recurrent diverticulitis depends on age and comorbid diseases as well as the frequency and severity of subsequent attacks.