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Clinical features of paradiverticulitis
Abstract:
Colonic diverticula have been generally accepted as a source of massive hemorrhaging. Little is known, however, about fecal occult blood loss from colonic diverticula and diverticulosis. We retrospectively investigated the possibility of minor bleeding in 737 diverticula cases diagnosed from April 1989 to May 1994. Thirty-seven cases (5%) of diverticula are explained as the sources of positive occult blood testing ascertained clearly by colonoscopy. These divide into three types: (1) from intradiverticular bleeding (intradiverticulitis), (2) from peridiverticular bleeding (peridiverticulitis), and (3) from interdiverticular colonic mucosal erosion (interdiverticulitis). These findings account for the occult blood loss that we call paradiverticulitis. The two-year prospective study found 67 cases (11.3%) of paradiverticulitis in 595 diverticula cases. We concluded that paradiverticulitis is one of the causes of positive occult blood tests.
Insights
Paradiverticulitis, minor bleeding from colonic diverticula, is a source of fecal occult blood. This study identifies three types of paradiverticulitis, clarifying its role in positive occult blood tests.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Colorectal Surgery
Background:
- Colonic diverticula are known causes of massive gastrointestinal bleeding.
- The contribution of colonic diverticula to fecal occult blood loss remains poorly understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the potential for minor bleeding from colonic diverticula and diverticulosis.
- To identify and characterize sources of fecal occult blood loss in patients with diverticula.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 737 cases of colonic diverticula diagnosed between April 1989 and May 1994.
- Colonoscopic evaluation to identify sources of positive fecal occult blood tests.
- Prospective study of 595 diverticula cases over two years.
Main Results:
- Thirty-seven cases (5%) of diverticula were identified as sources of positive occult blood tests.
- Three types of bleeding were identified: intradiverticular, peridiverticular, and interdiverticular.
- Prospective study identified 67 cases (11.3%) of paradiverticulitis.
Conclusions:
- Paradiverticulitis, encompassing bleeding from intradiverticulitis, peridiverticulitis, and interdiverticulitis, is a significant cause of fecal occult blood loss.
- This research clarifies the role of colonic diverticula in minor gastrointestinal bleeding.
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