[Radiological and endoscopic diagnosis of sigmoid diverticulitis]

In emergency, the most commonly used examination, other than plain radiographs of the abdomen, is the water-soluble contrast enema (Gastrografin). It demonstrates three different pictures, which may be more or less associated one to the other: "peridiverticulitis", featuring serrate lesions, abnormal stiffness and fixity and, in some cases, a long narrowing or stricture of the colon; diverticula, mainly in the sigmoid colon, becoming sharp-pointed or spark-liked; spillage of contrast material out of the colic lumen or into a neighbouring organ (fistula). Ultrasonography may be a useful emergency procedure to secure a hesitating diagnosis in a patient with a febrile abdominal pain or with a abdominal-pelvic mass, especially in women. Colonoscopy and barium enema are both usually contra-indicated in the acute setting of diverticulitis because of their potential hazards. On the other hand, after resolution of the acute event, these tests may allow to rule out carcinoma or associated adenomas (which coexist in more than 15% of the patients). Endoscopic control appears more especially important as initial accurate diagnosis in sometimes impossible to assess between adenocarcinoma and diverticulitis. CT scan has found an increasing place in both diagnosis and evaluation of infectious complications of diverticular disease. It is most recommended to assess the diagnosis of severe episodes, failing to clearly improve after medical treatment, and most particularly when an abscess in suspected. CT scan may demonstrate a thickening of the colic wall, high densities of pericolic fat and a tissular mass which may enclose gas bubbles.