Special Situations in the Management of Diverticular Disease

Diverticular disease affects a large percentage of the US population, affecting over 30% among those older than 45 years old. It is responsible for ∼300,000 hospitalizations per year in the United States and can lead to serious complications such as hemorrhage, obstruction, abscess, fistulae, or bowel perforation.2 It is an extremely common reason for emergency room and outpatient visits and evaluations by general and colorectal surgeons. In the US, patients usually present with sigmoid diverticulitis in the setting of a normal immune system so surgeons will follow well-established practice guidelines for treatment. However, there may be special circumstances in which the management of diverticulitis is not as straightforward. In this article, we will address patients who present with multifocal disease, giant colonic diverticulum, right-sided diverticulitis, and diverticulitis in the setting of immunosuppression and hopefully provide guidance for treatment in these special circumstances.

A Mature Cyst Teratoma with Malignant Transformation in Squamous Cell Carcinoma Presenting Like a Sigmoid Fistula: A Case Report of a Rare Differential Diagnosis of a Giant Colonic Diverticulum

Mature cystic teratoma is the most common form of ovarian germ cell tumor. Mature cystic teratoma is a benign tumor, mainly diagnosed in young women, with non-specific symptoms. However, the risk of malignant transformation exists (1-2%). Squamous cell carcinoma is the most frequently encountered histological form. Giant colonic diverticulum is a rare complication of diverticular disease, characterized by a diverticulum larger than 4 cm which can sometimes be confused with other digestive pathologies (appendicitis, small bowel perforation ...). We report a case of an ovarian squamous cell carcinoma arising from a mature cystic teratoma, presenting like a sigmoid fistula, with an initial doubt with the diagnosis of a giant colonic diverticulum. A 68-year-old woman was admitted for chronic hypogastric abdominal pain with a doubt concerning the diagnosis between a mature cystic teratoma and a giant colonic diverticulum. A computed tomography scan was performed revealing a perisigmoid cyst with hydro-aeric level in favor of a giant colonic diverticulum. The pelvic MRI rather suggested a left ovarian cyst, fistulated in the sigmoid colon. Finally, the colonoscopy confirmed this hypothesis with the visualization of a sigmoid fistula located 15cm from the anal margin in connection with a cavity containing hairs. Biopsies revealed a squamous cell carcinoma. After a negative extension assessment, a posterior pelvectomy was performed with pelvic and lumbo-aortic lymph node dissection. The pathological diagnosis was an ovarian pT4N1R0 squamous cell carcinoma. An adjuvant chemotherapy is still in progress.

A Mature Cyst Teratoma with Malignant Transformation in Squamous Cell Carcinoma Presenting Like a Sigmoid Fistula: A Case Report of a Rare Differential Diagnosis of a Giant Colonic Diverticulum

Mature cystic teratoma is the most common form of ovarian germ cell tumor. Mature cystic teratoma is a benign tumor, mainly diagnosed in young women, with non-specific symptoms. However, the risk of malignant transformation exists (1-2%). Squamous cell carcinoma is the most frequently encountered histological form. Giant colonic diverticulum is a rare complication of diverticular disease, characterized by a diverticulum larger than 4 cm which can sometimes be confused with other digestive pathologies (appendicitis, small bowel perforation ...). We report a case of an ovarian squamous cell carcinoma arising from a mature cystic teratoma, presenting like a sigmoid fistula, with an initial doubt with the diagnosis of a giant colonic diverticulum. A 68-year-old woman was admitted for chronic hypogastric abdominal pain with a doubt concerning the diagnosis between a mature cystic teratoma and a giant colonic diverticulum. A computed tomography scan was performed revealing a perisigmoid cyst with hydro-aeric level in favor of a giant colonic diverticulum. The pelvic MRI rather suggested a left ovarian cyst, fistulated in the sigmoid colon. Finally, the colonoscopy confirmed this hypothesis with the visualization of a sigmoid fistula located 15cm from the anal margin in connection with a cavity containing hairs. Biopsies revealed a squamous cell carcinoma. After a negative extension assessment, a posterior pelvectomy was performed with pelvic and lumbo-aortic lymph node dissection. The pathological diagnosis was an ovarian pT4N1R0 squamous cell carcinoma. An adjuvant chemotherapy is still in progress.