This Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) Video Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Vijayaraghavan, S. B. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Vijayaraghavan, S. B.

High-Resolution Sonographic Spectrum of Diverticulosis, Diverticulitis, and Their Complications

Sonoscan Ultrasonic Scan Centre, Coimbatore, India.

Address correspondence to S. Boopathy Vijayaraghavan, MD, DMRD, 16 B Venkatachalam Rd, R. S. Puram, Coimbatore 641 002, India. E-mail: sonoscan{at}vsnl.com or sboopathy{at}eth.net

Objective. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the high-resolution sonographic features of diverticulosis, diverticulitis, and their complications. Methods. During a period of about 4 years 8 months, there were 25 patients with sonographic features of diverticulosis, uncomplicated diverticulitis, and complicated diverticulitis. The clinical symptoms, sonographic features, follow-up investigations, and management details were recorded. Results. The common symptoms were pain in the left lower quadrant and fever. Sonographic features of uncomplicated diverticulitis were a varying appearance of the diverticulum with pericolic inflammation. Colonic wall thickening was not a consistent sign. Complications seen were pericolic, mesocolic, and intraperitoneal abscesses, colovesical fistulas, colouterine fistulas, perforation, and small-bowel obstruction. Uninflamed diverticula were seen in all patients with left-sided disease. They had 7 types of sonographic appearances. Conclusions. Uncomplicated diverticulitis is seen as a diverticulum of variable echogenicity with pericolic inflammation. An inflamed diverticulum is not visualized in complicated diverticulitis. Visualization of uninflamed diverticula helps reinforce the diagnosis of uncomplicated diverticulitis and predict the cause in complicated diverticulitis.

Key Words: diverticulitis • diverticulosis • sonography