[Diverticular disease. Clinical appearance, conservative treatment, primary and secondary prophylaxis]

Diverticula of the colon are very common and usually asymptomatic but 20% of people with diverticulosis develop symptoms and sometimes also complications, such as diverticulitis with abscesses or perforation and bleeding. In the long-term stenoses or a conglomerate can occur. The treatment depends on the type of diverticular disease, on the knowledge of risk indicators and imaging with sonography or computed tomography (CT). The uncomplicated diverticular disease is treated on an outpatient and conservative basis, while complicated diverticular disease is treated on an inpatient basis and often surgically.