Routine colonic endoscopic evaluation following resolution of acute diverticulitis: is it necessary?

ABSTRACT: Diverticular disease incidence is increasing up to 65% by age 85 in industrialized nations, low fiber diets, and in younger and obese patients. Twenty-five percent of patients with diverticulosis will develop acute diverticulitis. This imposes a significant burden on healthcare systems, resulting in greater than 300000 admissions per year with an estimated annual cost of $3 billion USD. Abdominal computed tomography (CT) is the diagnostic study of choice, with a sensitivity and specificity greater than 95%. Unfortunately, similar CT findings can be present in colonic neoplasia, especially when perforated or inflamed. This prompted professional societies such as the American Society of Colon Rectal Surgeons to recommend patients undergo routine colonoscopy after an episode of acute divertic

SUBMITTER: Agarwal AK 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4168084 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature