Medical Approach to Right Colon Diverticulitis with Perforation

We report a case of a 71-year-old female who presented with right lower quadrant (RLQ) abdominal pain and was diagnosed on CT scan with right-sided diverticulitis with perforation. She was admitted under the surgical service after consultation and received intravenous fluids, intravenous antibiotics, and pain medications as needed. The patient was discharged 2 days after admission in stable condition with follow-up with gastroenterology. The differential diagnosis of right lower quadrant abdominal pain is vast. Right-sided diverticulitis often presents in a manner similar to appendicitis. In the absence of peritonitis, conservative treatment may be possible. It is predictable that as the population ages, the incidence of right-sided diverticular disease will increase and will result in more presentations of acute right-sided diverticulitis to the emergency department (ED). The aim of this case report is to increase awareness of the incidence, pathophysiology, presentation, work-up (laboratory studies and imaging), and management (medical and surgical) of right-sided diverticulitis among emergency physicians.