Colonic Diverticulosis Vs Diverticulitis

A colonic diverticulum is usually false or pulsion diverticulum with only the mucosa and submucosa herniating through the muscle layers of the colon. The prevalence rate of colonic diverticula will be increasing with ages. Majority of the diverticula will be loacted at left side of the colon (sigmoid colon and descending colon). Having diverticula will be at risk of developing the diverticulitis. The theory behind the diverticulitis is that the narrow neck of the diverticulum becomes obstructed by fecal material, may lead to bacterial overgrowth and causing the distention of the diverticulum, culminating in focal ischemia, which may lead to perforation. The common presentation will be severe abdominal pain (usually left iliac fossa pain/left lower quadrant). Imaging study like CT-scan of Abdomen will be the ideal investigation is we suspect the diagnosis of acute diverticulitis.