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Colonic Diverticulosis: From Asymptomatic Form to Major Complications


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Introduction This pathology is rare in patients younger than 40 years old (5%) and, in those older than 70 years old, almost 50% exhibit colonic diverticulosis. Most cases have mild symptoms and only 20% presents complications as: bleeding, bowel obstruction, abscess and secondary peritonitis.

Aim. The aim is to analyse different types of complications in colonic diverticulosis and compare the data from literature to those in Argeș geographical area.

Material and method. The medical records of 120 patients out of which 101 were admitted in gastroenterology department and 19 in general surgery department were analysed. Diagnosis methods: colonoscopy, computed tomography with contrast dye, simple abdominal radiograph for acute abdominal pain.

Results. 40 patients (33.33%) with asymptomatic colonic diverticulosis, 28 patients (23.33%) moderate diverticulitis, 25 patients (20.83%) with moderate anorectal bleeding, 25 patients (20.83%) with secondary peritonitis, and 2 (1.68%) cases with complications.

Conclusions. All the patients were older than 50 years old, 44 % of diverticulitis cases led to complications (almost half with bleeding and the rest with peritonitis). No bowel obstruction. In 99% of the cases, the localisation of the diverticula was at the level of sigmoid and descending colon.

eISSN:
1220-5818
Language:
English
Publication timeframe:
4 times per year
Journal Subjects:
Medicine, Clinical Medicine, Internal Medicine, other, Cardiology, Gastroenterology, Pneumology