Case: 112

Diverticulitis

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History: 48 yo female with left lower quadrant pain
Solution: Diverticulitis is inflammation or perforation of colonic diverticula. The appearance of this case is characteristic with a diverticula surrounded by fall stranding and inflammation. Pertinent negative is that there is no associated abscess. Most commonly affects the sigmoid colon and CT is the most appropriate diagnostic tool. Sometimes difficult to differentiate from colon cancer, so patient should probably have direct visualization of the involved colon after symptoms have improved to ensure that there is not an underlying mass. Common indication for percutaneous abscess drainage and can result in other complications such as pylephlebitis (mesenteric/PV thrombosis and infection).

Questions

When this process is evaluated by US, the pericolonic fat is characteristically:
  • Anechoic
  • Hypoechoic
  • Hyperechoic
  • Isoechoic
The underlying process occurs where the vasa recta vessels insert into the muscularis propria
True
The diagnosis is relatively straightforward in this case. Name one complication other than pericolonic abscess, fistula, obstruction, hemorrhage and peritonitis.
pylephlebitis, sinus, liver abscess.