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Colonic diverticulitis diagnosed by computed tomography in the ED.
Shu-Huei Shen1, Jen-Dar Chen, Chui-Mei Tiu
1Department of Radiology, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, National Yang-Ming University School of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC.
The American Journal of Emergency Medicine
|October 9, 2002
Summary
Computed tomography (CT) effectively diagnoses colonic diverticulitis in emergency departments. Key CT findings predict prognosis, with older age, abscess, and free air indicating poorer outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Radiology
- Gastroenterology
- Emergency Medicine
Background:
- Colonic diverticulitis is a common condition requiring prompt diagnosis.
- Computed tomography (CT) is a valuable imaging modality in emergency settings.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the diagnostic utility of CT for colonic diverticulitis in the emergency department (ED).
- To identify CT findings indicative of prognosis in patients with colonic diverticulitis.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of clinical data and CT images from 38 confirmed cases of colonic diverticulitis.
- Analysis of common CT findings and correlation with clinical outcomes.
Main Results:
- Pericolic fat infiltration (100%), thickened fascia (78.9%), muscular hypertrophy (26.3%), and arrowhead sign (23.7%) were the most frequent CT findings.
- Older age, abscess formation, and free air were associated with poor prognosis.
- Right-sided colonic diverticulitis presented with younger age, shorter lesion length, and less perforation compared to left-sided cases.
Conclusions:
- CT is a reliable tool for diagnosing colonic diverticulitis in the ED.
- Specific CT findings can predict clinical prognosis.
- Demographic and imaging differences exist between right-sided and left-sided colonic diverticulitis.