scholarly journals A three-step approach to patients with suspected acute diverticulitis in the emergency department: An interdisciplinary algorithm proposal

2018 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ciro Paolillo ◽  
Massimo Sartelli ◽  
Vittorio Miele ◽  
Luca Ansaloni ◽  
Massimo Valentino ◽  
...  

Patients with acute abdominal pain due to acute colonic diverticulitis are a frequent cause of hospital admission. Diverticuar disease increases with age. In Western populations, diverticular disease is diagnosed in 50% individuals over 70 years and 80% over 85 years of age. The identification of patients with acute diverticulitis is a considerable challenge, since numerous other acute abdominal conditions mimic its clinical characteristics. Another problem is the atypical presentation in older patients. A high index of suspicion in the setting of a compatible history and physical examination serves as the cornerstone of early diagnosis. The purpose of this review is to underline the importance of an intimately integrate multidisciplinary approach between emergency physicians, radiologists and surgeons.

2014 ◽  
Vol 23 (4) ◽  
pp. 379-386 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rajan Iyer ◽  
George F. Longstreth ◽  
Li-Hao Chu ◽  
Wansu Chen ◽  
Linnette Yen ◽  
...  

Background & Aims: Diverticulitis is often diagnosed in outpatients, yet little evidence exists on diagnostic evidence and demographic/clinical features in various practice settings. We assessed variation in clinical characteristics and diagnostic evidence in inpatients, outpatients, and emergency department cases and effects of demographic and clinical variables on presentation features.Methods: In a retrospective cohort study of 1749 patients in an integrated health care system, we compared presenting features and computed tomography findings by practice setting and assessed independent effects of demographic and clinical factors on presenting features.Results: Inpatients were older and more often underweight/normal weight and lacked a diverticulitis past history and had more comorbidities than other patients. Outpatients were most often Hispanic/Latino. The classical triad (abdominal pain, fever, leukocytosis) occurred in 78 (38.6%) inpatients, 29 (5.2%) outpatients and 34 (10.7%) emergency department cases. Computed tomography was performed on 196 (94.4%) inpatients, 110 (9.2%) outpatients and 296 (87.6%) emergency department cases and was diagnostic in 153 (78.6%) inpatients, 62 (56.4%) outpatients and 243 (82.1%) emergency department cases. Multiple variables affected presenting features. Notably, female sex had lower odds for the presence of the triad features (odds ratio [95% CI], 0.65 [0.45-0.94], P<0.05) and increased odds of vomiting (1.78 [1.26-2.53], P<0.01). Patients in age group 56 to 65 and 66 or older had decreased odds of fever (0.67 [0.46-0.98], P<0.05) and 0.46 [0.26-0.81], P<0.01), respectively, while ≥1 co-morbidity increased the odds of observing the triad (1.88 [1.26-2.81], P<0.01).Conclusion: There was little objective evidence for physician-diagnosed diverticulitis in most outpatients. Demographic and clinical characteristics vary among settings and independently affect presenting features.Abbreviations: AD: acute colonic diverticulitis; BMI: body mass index; CT: computed tomography; ED: emergency department; IBS: irritable bowel syndrome; ICD-9-CM: International Classification of Diseases, 9th Revision, Clinical Modification; IP: inpatient; KPSC: Kaiser Permanente Southern California; OP: outpatient.


2021 ◽  
Vol 09 (03) ◽  
pp. E331-E337
Author(s):  
Dai Nakamatsu ◽  
Tsutomu Nishida ◽  
Shinji Kuriki ◽  
Li-sa Chang ◽  
Kazuki Aochi ◽  
...  

Abstract Background and study aims The relationship between acute colonic diverticulitis and colorectal cancer (CRC) is unclear, but colonoscopy is recommended to exclude malignancy. We compared the detection rates for colorectal neoplasia in patients with colonic diverticulitis and asymptomatic patients who had positive fecal immunochemical tests (FITs). Patients and methods In total, 282 patients with acute colonic diverticulitis were hospitalized in our hospital from February 2011 to December 2019. Of them, 143 patients with diverticulitis and 1819 with positive FITs patients during the same period underwent colonoscopy without a prior colonoscopy within 5 years. We retrospectively compared these patients in terms of the invasive CRC rate, advanced neoplasia detection rate (ANDR), adenoma detection rate (ADR), and polyp detection rate (PDR). Results Compared to the diverticulitis group, the FIT-positive group had a significantly higher CRC rate (0 vs 2.7 %, P = 0.0061), ANDR (5.6 vs. 14.0 %, P = 0.0017), ADR (19.6 vs. 53.2 %, P < .0001), and PDR (44.1 vs. 91.0 %, P < .0001). Using 1:1 propensity score matching based on age and sex, we obtained 276 matched patients in both groups. After matching, no difference was found in the CRC rate (0 vs 0.7 %) or ANDR (5.8 vs 7.3 %) between groups, but the ADR and PDR were significantly higher in the FIT-positive group (20.3 vs 43.5 %, P < .0001; 45.7 % vs 86.2 %, P < .0001). Conclusion Patients with acute diverticulitis had lower ADRs and PDRs than patients with positive FITs.


2017 ◽  
Vol 102 (11-12) ◽  
pp. 514-521
Author(s):  
TaeHoon Kim ◽  
Tong Moon ◽  
Jin Yoon ◽  
SangSu Park ◽  
YongSeog Jang ◽  
...  

Objective: To investigate the diagnostic potential of neutrophil-to-lymphocyte count ratio (NLCR) for acute diverticulitis. Summary of Background Data: We evaluated NLCR in patients with acute colonic diverticulitis who were treated with conservative and surgical treatments. Methods: A total of 205 patients who underwent surgical treatment or conservative management of acute diverticulitis between 2012 and 2016 were reviewed. Patients' age; sex; hospital days; co-morbidity; complication; period of use of antibiotics; treatment method; body temperature; and initial laboratory results such as neutrophil count, lymphocyte count, NLCR, and serum levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) were assessed. Results: The median ages of the conservative and surgical treatment groups were 46 and 68 years, respectively. Median CRP and glucose levels were high in acute colonic diverticulitis patients who underwent surgical treatment (P &lt; 0.001, P &lt; 0.001). Albumin level was low in the surgical treatment group (P &lt; 0.001). NLCR was significantly different in both groups (conservative management vs surgical treatment, 4.1 mg/L versus 8.5 mg/L; P &lt; 0.001). Median white blood cells was 11.36 × 109/L in the conservative management group and 14.0 × 109/L in the surgical treatment group, with no significance (P = 0.071). Multivariate analysis revealed that NLCR &gt;10.21 [odds ratio (OR) = 5.613, P = 0.022]; CRP &gt;17.23 mg/L (OR = 4.241, P = 0.006); and albumin ≤3.5 (OR = 4.192, P = 0.036) were significant for acute colonic diverticulitis patients. Conclusion: NLCR, CRP, and albumin levels were significantly associated with acute colonic diverticulitis in the surgical treatment group, and NLCR was the most powerful predictive marker of severe acute colonic diverticulitis.


2021 ◽  
Vol 108 (Supplement_7) ◽  
Author(s):  
Lorraine Hickey ◽  
Paul Goldsmith

Abstract Aims Debate remains regarding management of complicated diverticulitis. The WSES acute diverticulitis working group published in 2015 a CT-guided classification of left colon acute diverticulitis, divided into uncomplicated (Stage 0) and complicated (Stage 1a-4). Using this classification, we reviewed our management of CT-proven acute colonic diverticulitis. Methods A single-centre retrospective review of management of CT-proven acute colonic diverticulitis over 12 months based on the WSES classification. Results 24 males and 31 females presented (median age=56, IQR 45-68). Median white cell count=12 (IQR 10-16) and median C-reactive protein=88 (IQR 41-157). Based on CT, 25 (45.5%) patients =stage 0, 14 (25.5%) =stage 1a, 6 (11%) =stage 1b, 4 (7%) =stage 2a, 6 (11%) =stage 2b, and none staged 3/4. 15% (8/55) patients had an operation, remainder were conservatively managed. 2 patients had laparoscopic washout/drainage (stages 1b and 2b). 6 patients had Hartmanns (x1 stage 1a, x1 stage 1b, x4 stage 2b).  Median length of stay=5 days (IQR 4-8). There was 1 related reattendance declining readmission (stage 1a managed conservatively) and 2 readmissions (1 stage 0 managed conservatively, other initially stage 1a managed conservatively but on readmission staged 2b proceeding to Hartmanns). 30-day mortality included 3 deaths (stages 1b/2a/2b all managed conservatively). Conclusions Hartmanns resection is advocated as treatment of choice for complicated acute diverticulitis, particularly for Stage 2b or above.


2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-4 ◽  
Author(s):  
Line Hupfeld ◽  
Jakob Burcharth ◽  
Hans-Christian Pommergaard ◽  
Jacob Rosenberg

Severe stages of acute, colonic diverticulitis can progress into intestinal perforations with peritonitis. In such cases, urgent treatment is needed, and Hartmann’s procedure is the standard treatment for cases with fecal peritonitis. Peritoneal lavage may be an alternative to resection for acute diverticulitis with purulent peritonitis, but ongoing randomized trials are awaited to clarify this.


Medicina ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 58 (1) ◽  
pp. 29
Author(s):  
Gennaro Perrone ◽  
Mario Giuffrida ◽  
Elena Bonati ◽  
Gabriele Luciano Petracca ◽  
Antonio Tarasconi ◽  
...  

Background and Objectives: The management of complicated diverticulitis in the elderly can be a challenge and initial non-operative treatment remains controversial. In this study, we investigate the effectiveness of conservative treatment in elderly people after the first episode of complicated diverticulitis. Materials and Methods: This retrospective single-centre study describes 71 cases of elderly patients with complicated acute colonic diverticulitis treated with conservative management at Parma University Hospital from 1 January 2012 to 31 December 2019. Diverticulitis severity was staged according to WSES CT driven classification for acute diverticulitis. Patients was divided into two groups: early (65–74 yo) and late elderly (>75 yo). Results: We enrolled 71 elderly patients conservatively treated for complicated acute colonic diverticulitis, 25 males and 46 females. The mean age was 74.78 ± 6.8 years (range 65–92). Localized abdominal pain and fever were the most common symptoms reported in 34 cases (47.88%). Average white cells count was 10.04 ± 5.05 × 109/L in the early elderly group and 11.24 ± 7.89 in the late elderly group. CRP was elevated in 29 (78.3%) cases in early elderly and in 23 late elderly patients (67.6%). A CT scan of the abdomen was performed in every case (100%). Almost all patients were treated with bowel rest and antibiotics (95.7%). Average length of stay was 7.74 ± 7.1 days (range 1–48). Thirty-day hospital readmission and mortality were not reported. Average follow-up was 52.32 ± 31.8 months. During follow-up, home therapy was prescribed in 48 cases (67.6%). New episodes of acute diverticulitis were reported in 20 patients (28.1%), elevated WBC and chronic NSAID therapy were related to a higher risk of recurrence in early elderly patients (p < 0.05). Stage IIb-III with elevated WBC during first episode, had a higher recurrence rate compared to the other CT-stage (p = 0.006). Conclusions: The management of ACD in the elderly can be a challenge. Conservative treatment is safe and effective in older patients, avoiding unnecessary surgery that can lead to unexpected complications due to co-morbidities.


2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mahjabin Islam ◽  
Nigel Hoggard ◽  
Marios Hadjivassiliou

Abstract Background Cerebrotendinous xanthomatosis (CTX) is a rare but treatable neurometabolic disorder of lipid storage and bile acid synthesis. Whilst CTX is said to present with the classic triad of juvenile onset cataracts, tendon xanthomata and progressive ataxia, the diversity of presentation can be such that the diagnosis may be substantially delayed resulting in permanent neurological disability. Methods A retrospective review of the clinical characteristics and imaging findings of 4 patients with CTX presenting to the Sheffield Ataxia Centre over a period of 25 years. Results Although CTX-related symptoms were present from childhood, the median age at diagnosis was 39 years. Only 1 of the 4 cases had tendon xanthomata, only 2 cases had juvenile onset cataracts and 3 had progressive ataxia with one patient presenting with spastic paraparesis. Serum cholestanol was elevated in all 4 patients, proving to be a reliable diagnostic tool. In addition, cholestanol was raised in the CSF of 2 patients who underwent lumbar puncture. Despite treatment with chenodeoxycholic acid (CDCA) and normalization of serum cholestanol, CSF cholestanol remained high in one patient, necessitating increase in the dose of CDCA. Further adjustments to the dose of CDCA in the patient with raised CSF cholestanol resulted in slowing of progression. Two of the patients who have had the disease for the longest continued to progress, one subsequently dying from pneumonia. Conclusion A high index of suspicion for CTX, even in the absence of the classical triad is essential in reaching such diagnosis. The earlier the diagnosis and treatment, the better the outcome.


2021 ◽  
Vol 28 ◽  
pp. 107327482098682
Author(s):  
Min Shi ◽  
Biao Zhou

Background: The incidence of pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (PNETs) has increased significantly. The purpose of this study was to analyze the clinical characteristics and prognosis of patients under 50 years old. Methods: Patients with PNETs recorded in the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database from 2004 to 2015 were analyzed. The clinical characteristics were analyzed by Chi-square test. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to estimate overall survival (OS). Multivariate Cox proportional risk regression analysis was used to determine independent prognostic factors. Results: 2,303 patients included, of which 547 (23.8%) patients were younger than 50 years old. The number of younger patients has increased steadily, while the proportion in total PNETs decreased recently. Compared with older group, the proportion of the Black, grade I/II, and surgery were higher in early-onset PNETs. Liver was the most frequent metastatic site. There was no significant difference in the incidence of different metastatic sites between younger and older PNETs patients, while younger patients had better OS (P < 0.05). Grade, N stage, M stage, and surgery were independent prognostic factors for OS in early-onset PNETs. Conclusions: Younger patients have unique clinicopathological characteristics compared with older patients in PNETs. Better OS was observed in younger patients which might due to the higher proportion of well-differentiated tumor and surgery than older patients.


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