[Course and conservative treatment of diverticular disease]

Diverticular disease is one of the most gastrointestinal disorders especially in developed countries. Prevalence rises with age, about two-thirds of patients in the age of 80 years are affected. In western countries diverticulosis is predominantly located in the distal colon. Only a minority of patients with diverticulosis develops symptoms. Ultrasound studies and CT scan are most important in diagnosing diverticulitis and its complications. Patients with the first attack of uncomplicated diverticulitis are treated with broad-spectrum antibiotics and in more severe case with bowel rest. Mesalazin is another choice of treatment. Recurrence of the disease is of increased risk to develop complications such as abscess formation, fistula and obstruction. These complications should be treated by operative resection. Lower gastrointestinal bleeding from divertikular sources should be treated by interventional endoscopy.