A rare complication of colonic diverticulosis: giant diverticulum. Case report and overview of pathophysiology, diagnosis and therapeutic options.

A rare complication of diverticulosis of the colon is giant colonic diverticulum, an entity first described by Bonvin in 1946. The experience of any surgeon with this problem is at the most still small and reported management in the literature has been varied. We present the case of a 84-year-old woman presenting with a painless abdominal mass and constipation. A 30 x 10 cm gas-filled cyst was discovered on abdominal X-ray and CT examination. Furthermore, we provide an overview of pathophysiology, diagnosis and therapeutic options.

[Anti-recurrent treatment of colon diverticulitis].

The article presents the recent data of individual studies and meta-analyses of the frequency of relapses after one, two or more episodes of acute colon diverticulitis, lits different opinions about the predictors of the recurrent course of the disease. The bigger part of the article is devoted to the analysis of the results of different variants of anti-recurrent treatment of diverticulitis with the assessment of the effectiveness of therapy, with the conclusion that today the problem of the most effective method of treatment exists.

Updates in diverticular disease.

Diverticulosis and its major complications, diverticulitis and diverticular bleeding, are increasingly common indications for hospitalization and outpatient visits. Recent publications in the field of diverticular disease have challenged long-standing disease concepts and management strategies. This article will highlight studies which have helped to clarify the contribution of genetic factors, fiber consumption and medication use to the development of diverticular disease, the role of antibiotics in the treatment of acute diverticulitis, and the association between diverticulitis, irritable bowel syndrome, and colon cancer.

Hypertension and concomitant arteriosclerotic diseases are risk factors for colonic diverticular bleeding: a case-control study.

PURPOSE: Colonic diverticular bleeding is a major cause of lower gastrointestinal bleeding. However, a limited number of studies have been reported on the risk factors for diverticular bleeding. Our aim was to identify risk factors for diverticular bleeding. METHODS: Our study design is a case (diverticular bleeding)-control (diverticulosis) study. We prospectively collected information of habits, comorbidities, history of medications and symptoms by a questionnaire, and diagnosed diverticular bleeding and diverticulosis by colonoscopy. Logistic regression models were used to estimate odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI). RESULTS: A total of 254 patients (diverticular bleeding, 45; diverculosis, 209) were selected for analysis. Cluster (≥10 diverticula) type (OR, 4.0; 95% CI, 1.8-8.9), hypertension (OR, 2.2; 95% CI, 1.0-4.6), ischemic heart disease (OR, 2.4; 95% CI, 1.1-5.4), and chronic renal failure (OR, 6.4; 95% CI, 1.3-32) were independent risk factors for diverticular bleeding. CONCLUSIONS: Large number of diverticula, hypertension, and concomitant arteriosclerotic diseases including ischemic heart disease and chronic renal failure are risk factors for diverticular bleeding. This study identifies new information on the risk factors for diverticular bleeding.

[Experimental model of the colonic diverticulum].

Diverticulosis was simulated by vacuum deformation of the wall of the rat caecum. It was shown that diverticulars was accompanied by a reduced electromotor activity of the cecum.

[Etiology and pathogenesis of diverticular disease of the colon].

The article presents the literature on the etiology and pathogenesis of diverticular disease, a comparison of opposing points of view are presented results of their research.

Computational analysis of mechanical stress in colonic diverticulosis.

Diverticulosis results from the development of pouch-like structures, called diverticula, over the colon. The etiology of the disease is poorly understood resulting in a lack of effective treatment approaches. It is well known that mechanical stress plays a major role in tissue remodeling, yet its role in diverticulosis has not been studied. Here, we used computational mechanics to investigate changes in stress distribution engendered over the colon tissue by the presence of a pouch-like structure. The objectives of the study were twofold: (1) observe how stress distribution changes around a single pouch and (2) evaluate how stress elevation correlates with the size of the pouch. Results showed that high stresses are concentrated around the neck of a pouch, and their values and propagation increase with the size of the pouch neck rather than the pouch surface area. These findings suggest that stress distribution may change in diverticulosis and a vicious cycle may occur where pouch size increases due to stress elevation, which in turn elevates stress further and so on. Significant luminal pressure reduction would be necessary to maintain stress at normal level according to our results and therapeutic approaches aimed directly at reducing stress should rather be sought after.

Surgical Management of Giant Colonic Diverticulum Presenting After Laparoscopic Lavage for Diverticular Perforation and Sepsis.

BACKGROUND Diverticulosis and its complication of diverticulitis is a common condition that can be found in up to 35% of the population. Giant colonic diverticulum is a rare entity with fewer than 200 cases reported in the scientific literature. Development of a giant diverticulum as a sequelae of laparoscopic washout is an unreported event in current literature. CASE REPORT The patient was a 74-year-old female who had a well-known history of diverticulosis and diverticulitis. She developed perforated sigmoid diverticulitis, underwent laparoscopic washout and recovered without colon resection. Within a year after washout, she developed abdominal distention and bloating, and computed tomography (CT) imaging revealed a giant diverticulum. She went on to undergo surgery for resection of her sigmoid colon, which contained the giant diverticulum. Her recovery was otherwise uneventful. CONCLUSIONS To our knowledge, this is the first case report of giant diverticulum presenting as a complication of abdominal washout for management of acute diverticulitis. Initial CT scan performed at the time of perforation did not demonstrate this diverticulum, indicating that it developed within the year after abdominal washout for sepsis and acute rupture, likely due to weakening of the colonic wall secondary to ongoing inflammation. The very rare presentation of giant diverticulum makes it difficult to establish a clear link to washout, however, this case establishes a groundwork for further investigation as our fund of knowledge on the subject continues to grow.

Recurrent Asymptomatic Sigmoid Diverticular Perforation in a Patient with Pemphigus Vulgaris on Immunosuppressive Therapy: A Case Report.

BACKGROUND Perforation of the colon is associated with high mortality and requires early diagnosis. However, the diagnosis of perforation from atypical causes can be a diagnostic challenge. This report is of a rare case of recurrent sigmoid colonic perforation in a patient with diverticular disease who did not present with an acute abdomen but who had pemphigus vulgaris treated with immunosuppressive therapy. CASE REPORT A 57-year-old man with pemphigus vulgaris was treated with steroids, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS), and azathioprine. He had episodes of abdominal bloating but denied any other symptoms. He was diagnosed with spontaneous sigmoid diverticular perforation without presenting with an acute abdomen. CONCLUSIONS Diverticular perforation can be asymptomatic in patients on immunosuppressive therapy. Therefore, there should be a high index of suspicion for bowel perforation in patients with abdominal symptoms who are treated for skin diseases, such as pemphigus vulgaris, and are on steroids and other immunosuppressive treatments.

Diverticular disease and diverticulitis.

Diverticular disease is one of the most prevalent medical conditions to affect Western populations. Symptomatic diverticular disease can range from mild, low-level symptomatology similar to that seen in irritable bowel syndrome to acute bouts of diverticulitis complicated by abscess or frank perforation. This review discusses the epidemiology, pathophysiology, clinical presentation, and management of the spectrum of diverticular disease, including mention of recent advances in the treatment of chronic diverticular disease with aminosalicyclates and probiotics.

Psychological and colonic factors in painful diverticulosis.

BACKGROUND: The importance of psychological factors in symptom expression in diverticulosis is unknown. This follow-up study assessed the relative importance of colonic and psychological factors in symptom expression. METHODS: Patients with barium enema-proven diverticula were sent a bowel symptom questionnaire in 1999 and again in 2006 with additional psychological questionnaires included. RESULTS: Some 170 of 261 initial responders were eligible for follow-up and 124 (72.9 per cent) provided complete replies. Forty-two (33.9 per cent) of 124 respondents experienced recurrent abdominal pain a median of 3.5 (interquartile range (i.q.r.) 2.00-9.25) days per month, with a median duration of 1 (i.q.r. 0.7-2) h. Multivariable analysis identified a history of acute diverticulitis (odds ratio 3.98; P = 0.010) and a raised score on the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (odds ratio 2.53; P = 0.030) as the best predictors of recurrent pain. CONCLUSION: Psychological and colonic factors are important in symptom expression in diverticulosis.

Diverticular Perforation: A Fatal Complication to Forestall in Cushing Syndrome.

Context: Patients taking exogenous glucocorticoids are at risk for gastrointestinal (GI) complications, including peptic ulcer disease with perforation and gastric bleeding. However, little is known about the GI comorbidity in patients with endogenous hypercortisolemia. Case Descriptions: We describe six patients with endogenous Cushing syndrome (CS) who developed sudden perforation of colonic diverticula necessitating urgent exploratory laparotomy. Most of these patients shared the following features of CS: skin thinning, severe hypercortisolemia (24-hour urinary free cortisol ≥10 times the upper limit of normal), ectopic secretion of ACTH, and severe hypokalemia. At the time of diagnosis of diverticular perforation (DP), these patients had minimal signs of peritonitis and lacked fever or marked leukocytosis. The diagnosis of DP was established by having a low threshold for obtaining an imaging study for evaluation of nonspecific abdominal pain. Conclusions: Patients with CS can develop spontaneous surgical abdomen with rapid decompensation within hours. Prompt recognition is critical in the successful treatment of these patients.

[Association between diverticulosis and colonic Neoplasm in Koreans].

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Although a few published studies have reported on the relationship between diverticulosis and neoplasia in the west, it is not yet examined in Korea. The aim of this study was to determine whether there is an association between diverticulosis and colonic neoplasia. METHODS: We retrospectely analysed the medical records of 3,007 patients (M:F=1.3:1) who underwent colonoscopic examinations from year 2002 to year 2004. Patients who had a history of previous polypectomy, colon resection, or inflammatory bowel diseases were excluded. The size, extent (none, few, or many), and location of diverticuli and polyps were analyzed. RESULTS: Of 2,377 patients, included 57% were male and the mean age was 50.8 year-old. Nine percent of the patient had diverticulosis, 29% had more than one neoplasm, and 6% had advanced neoplasia. Patients with diverticular diseases had higher risks of any neoplasia than those without diverticulum (p=0.03, 37.7% vs. 28.2%). There was no correlation between diverticular diseases and advanced neoplasia. Patients with proximal diverticular diseases had higher risk of any proximal neoplasia than other patients (p0.01 24.6% vs. 14.3%). Moreover, they had higher risk of proximal advanced neoplasia than others (p=0.01, 4.5% vs. 2%). In addition, comparison of multiple diverticular disease with few or no diverticuli revealed no difference in the risk of any neoplasia. CONCLUSIONS: These data show that the patients with diverticular diseases have more neoplasms than controls without diverticula.

[Colon diverticula: origin, prevalence, clinical manifestations].

AIM: To study prevalence of colon diverticula (CD) and phenotypical features of patients with this anomaly. MATERIAL AND METHODS: At the first stage of the study we analysed colon x-ray evidence for 3 years to assess prevalence of CD. At the second stage we examined 59 patients with CD. Sixty patients with idiopathic constipation and 48 patients with irritable colon syndrome served control. RESULTS: We discovered the following independent factors associated with a high CD risk: history of CD in the relatives of the patients (OR 24.6; 95% CI 5.23-116.23; p = 0.0001) and age of the patient (OR 2.5; 95% CI 1.03-1.13; p = 0.0010). Age-dependent CD occurrence, similar anomalies in the relatives, other structural gastrointestinal anomalies in them, hyperaminociduria suggest that CD represent a metabolic involutionary process with hereditary predisposition. CD manifested clinically with abdominal pain and problems with colon passage. Abdominal pain related to defecation occurred with low pain threshold to extension. Abdominal pain risk in CD patients is significantly associated with intestinal infections (OR 4.56; 95% CI 1.09-18.97; chi-square = 4.34; p = 0.0372) and connective tissue dysplasia syndrome (OR 2.21; 95% CI 1.23-3.95; chi-square = 7.08; p = 0.0078). Independent risk factors of constipation in CD are non-morning defecation (OR 8.68; 95% CI 1.55-48.51; chi-square = 6.06; p = 0.0138), connective tissue dysplasia syndrome (OR 1.77; 95% CI 1.0-3.20; chisquare = 3.65; p = 0.0501), sedentary life style (OR 7.42; 94% CI 1.24 - 44.57; chi-square = 4.81; p = 0.0284). CONCLUSION: Incomplete CD reflect colon involution. Abdominal pain associated with defecation has much in common with irritable colon syndrome.

Diverticular disease in patients with colon cancer: subgroup analysis of national surgical adjuvant breast and bowel project protocol C-06.

BACKGROUND: Similar epidemiologic characteristics suggest a common etiology for colon cancer (CC) and diverticular disease of the colon (DD). The relationship between the 2 diseases is still unclear, and the impact of DD in patients diagnosed with CC on disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) is unknown. National Surgical Adjuvant Breast and Bowel Project (NASBP) protocol C-06 is a clinical trial comparing oral uracil/tegafur/leucovorin with 5-fluorouracil/leucovorin in patients with resected stage II/III carcinoma of the colon. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The NASBP enrolled 1,608 patients who had undergone potentially curative resection for stage II/III colon cancer from 256 medical sites between February 14, 1997, and March 31, 1999. RESULTS: Pathology reports from 1561 eligible patients retrospectively reviewed for the presence of DD revealed that 160 (10.2%) had this disease. The median ages of patients with CC and DD and without DD were 67 and 61 years, respectively (P < 0.05). The majority of patients were white, and Hispanic patients were better represented in the group with DD (P < 0.05). Colon cancer was located in the rectosigmoid in 46.88% of patients with DD and in 31.92% of patients without DD (P < 0.05). A baseline diagnosis of DD made no significant contribution to DFS or OS without adjustment for confoundin factors (P = 0.2 and P = 0.32, respectively) or adjusted for Dukes classification and age (P = 0.49 and P = 0.68, respectively). CONCLUSION: The prevalence of DD in patients diagnosed and treated for CC was 10.2%. Patients with CC with and without DD differed from each other with respect to age, tumor location, and ethnicity. There was no negative impact of having DD on DFS and OS in patients treated for stage II/III CC.