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Insights into Imaging
Published in: Insights into Imaging 1/2017

Open Access 01-02-2017 | Pictorial Review

Diverticulitis: a comprehensive review with usual and unusual complications

Authors: Mehmet Ruhi Onur, Erhan Akpinar, Ali Devrim Karaosmanoglu, Cavid Isayev, Musturay Karcaaltincaba

Published in: Insights into Imaging | Issue 1/2017

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Abstract

Diverticulitis is characterized by inflammation of the outpouchings of the bowel wall. Imaging findings of diverticulitis include edematous thickening of the bowel wall with inflammatory changes within the adjacent mesenteric fat. Uncomplicated diverticulitis can be treated conservatively; however, complicated diverticulitis may not be responsive to medical treatment and life-threatening conditions may occur. In this review, we aimed to illustrate the ultrasonography (US) and computed tomography (CT) features of diverticulitis and its complications including perforation, phlegmon, abscess, ascending septic thrombophlebitis (phylephlebitis), bleeding, intestinal obstruction, and fistula.

Teaching Points

• Complications of diverticulitis may be highly variable.
• It may be difficult to diagnose diverticulitis as underlying cause of severe complications.
• MDCT is essential for the primary diagnosis of the acute diverticulitis and its complications.
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Metadata
Title
Diverticulitis: a comprehensive review with usual and unusual complications
Authors
Mehmet Ruhi Onur
Erhan Akpinar
Ali Devrim Karaosmanoglu
Cavid Isayev
Musturay Karcaaltincaba
Publication date
01-02-2017
Publisher
Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in
Insights into Imaging / Issue 1/2017
Electronic ISSN: 1869-4101
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s13244-016-0532-3

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