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Transient diverticula of the colon
1Department of Radiodiagnosis, Southampton General Hospital.
The British Journal of Radiology
|January 1, 1989
Summary
Transient diverticula, a radiological finding during barium enema, may disappear after smooth muscle relaxation with hyoscine-N-butylbromide. This suggests transient diverticula could be an early stage of established diverticular disease.
Area of Science:
- Radiology
- Gastroenterology
Background:
- Transient diverticula are observed in a minority of patients during barium enema examinations.
- These radiological findings require radiographs taken before and after smooth muscle relaxation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the nature of transient diverticula observed during barium enema.
- To determine if smooth muscle relaxation influences the appearance of these diverticula.
Main Methods:
- Barium enema examinations were performed on 441 patients.
- Radiographs were taken before and after the intravenous administration of 20 mg hyoscine-N-butylbromide (Buscopan) for smooth muscle relaxation.
Main Results:
- Transient diverticula were observed in 18 patients (4.1%) during the examinations.
- In some patients, diverticula present on early radiographs disappeared after hyoscine-N-butylbromide administration.
- Observed transient diverticula shared features with established diverticula.
Conclusions:
- Transient diverticula represent a radiological phenomenon that can be reversed with smooth muscle relaxants.
- The findings suggest that transient diverticula may indicate an incipient stage of diverticular disease.