Diverticular Disease

Overview

Overview Diverticula of the colon consist of outpouchings of mucous membrane through the muscle wall of the bowel. In the colon, diverticula are found most commonly in the sigmoid and descending colon, and become increasingly rare in passing from the left to the right side of the colon. They are unusual before the age of 40 years, but they are found in about 30% of all autopsies in the elderly.

Overview copy

Definitions
Diverticulum:
abnormal sac-like protrusion from the wall of a hollow organ
Diverticulosis: presence of multiple diverticula, not symptomatic
Diverticulitis: inflammation of diverticula
Diverticular Disease: Complication of diverticulosis
True (congenital) diverticuli: contain all layers of colonic wall, often right-sided (i.e Merkel's Diverticulum)
False (acquired) diverticuli: contain mucosa and submucosa, often left-sided (highest pressure)
Merkel's Diverticulum: A true diverticulum, it is a reminant of proximal part of the yolk-stalk. May present with symptoms in a small majority of patients.
types

A true diverticulum involves all layers of the colon wall, this is seens in merkel's diverticulum (congenital). A false diverticulum only involves the mucosal layers and is acquired. As we age most of us will have acquired diverticula.

Colon Anatomy and Physiology

The colon is divided into:

  • Caecum (appendix off this)
  • Ascending colon
  • Transverse colon
  • Descending colon
  • Sigmoid colon
  • Rectum

The ascending and descending colon are retroperitoneal, these are immobile. The transverse is mobile and lies within the peritoneal cavity. The transverse colon is supported by the greater omentum superiorly and attaches to the posterior abdominal wall (in front of the retroperitoneal cavity) by the transverse mesocolon.

The transverse colon is attached to the greater curvature of the stomach and first part of the duodenum via the greater omentum. The sigmoid colon is also attached

Main features of large intestine structure:

  • Complete layer of circular smooth muscle throughout, but incomplete bands of longitudinal muscle (taeniae coli) in colon (stops at the rectum)
  • Fatty appendages along taeniae (appendices epiploicae)
  • Folded internal mucosal appearances (haustrations)
  • ‘Segmented’ external appearances (sacculations)

Blood supply - from superior and inferior mesenteric artery

  • Superior mesenteric artery
    • Ileocolic artery - last terminal ilealloop, caecum
    • Right colic artery - ascending colon
    • Middle colic artery - transverse colon up to the splenic flexure
  • Inferior mesenteric artery
    • Left colic - splenic flexure and descending colon.
    • Sigmoid artery - sigmoid colon
    • Superior rectal artery - rectum and upper anal canal

Autonomic nerve supply

  • Sympathetic, mainly from greater splanchnic nerves via SMA and IMA plexuses.
  • Parasympathetic, from vagus via SMA and IMA plexus from caecum to splenic flexure and from pelvic parasympathetics (S2, 3, 4) via hypogastric plexuses and retroperitoneal nerves from splenic flexure to upper anal canal

The colon is about 1.5 metres long, transverse being the longest and most mobile. The ascending and descending colon are fixed by the mesentery and do not move.

Watch The Colon (and Colon Cancer)

Risk Factors

Risk Factors
Age >50
Low fiber diet
Western diet
Obesity
NSAIDs

Signs and Symptoms

signs and symptins

Clinical Presentation of Diverticular Disease, one of four: Asympstomatic (majority), Painful Diverticular Disease, Bleeding Diverticular Disease or Diverticulitis

Investigation

Investigations depend on suspected complication and for diagnosis of diverticular disease. Diverticulosis may be an incidental finding on colonoscopy. Laboratory tests include FBC and CRP to check for bleeding and signs of inflammation/infection/malignancy. CT scan can help identify complications. A Chest x-ray can also be used which may reveal free air under the diaphragm (sign of perforation)

Ix

Remember On CT scan diverticulitis will have wall thickening (4mm) and surrounding oedema (inflammation) and signs of fat stranding.

Pathophysiology

path

Management

mgx

Management is mainly medical however there are indications of surgery (listed below)

Diverticulitis - Conservative therapy

  • NBM
  • Fluids
  • IV Antibiotics
  • IV analgesia
Indications for surgery
Failure of medical therapy
Wide-spread inflammation
Bowel obstruction
Abscess and fistula formation
Stenosis
Recurrent bleeding
Unacceptable symptoms for patients

Hinchey Staging and Treatment of Diverticulitis
Stage Feature Treatment
I Phlegmon/small pericolic abscess (Localized) Medical
II Large abscess/fistula Abscess drainage, resection +/- anastomsosis
III Purulent peritonitis (ruptured abscess) Hartmann procedure
IV Feculent peritonitis Hartmann procedure

Complications

compl

An inflamed diverticulum (diverticulitis) may do one of three things.

  • Perforation
    • Into peritoneal cavity to causing peritonitis
    • Into the pericolic tissues with formation of a pericolic abscess
    • Into adjacent structures (e.g. bladder, small bowel, vagina), forming a fistula.
  • Produce chronic infection with inflammatory fibrosis, resulting in obstructive symptoms
  • Haemorrhage, as a result of erosion of a vessel in the bowel wall. The bleeding varies from acute and profuse to a chronic occult loss.

Merkel's Diverticulum

Meckel’s diverticulum is the remnant of the vitellointestinal duct of the embryo. It lies on the antimesenteric border of the ileum and, as an approximation, occurs in 2% of the population, arises 55cm (2 feet) from the caecum, and averages 5 cm (2 inches) in length.

Remember Merkel's Diverticulum is a true diverticulum

References

UpToDate
Best Practice
Oxford Handbook of Clinical Surgery
Contents
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