Guidelines of diagnostics and treatment of acute left-sided colonic diverticulitis

Clinical diagnostic accuracy of acute colonic diverticulitis in patients admitted with acute abdominal pain, a receiver operating characteristic curve analysis

PURPOSE

The study investigated the capability of clinical findings, temperature, C-reactive protein (CRP), and white blood cell (WBC) count to discern patients with acute colonic diverticulitis from all other patients admitted with acute abdominal pain.

METHODS

The probability of acute diverticulitis was assessed by the examining doctor, using a scale from 0 (zero probability) to 10 (100 % probability). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were used to assess the clinical diagnostic accuracy of acute colonic diverticulitis in patients admitted with acute abdominal pain.

RESULTS

Of 833 patients admitted with acute abdominal pain, 95 had acute colonic diverticulitis. ROC curve analysis gave an area under the ROC curve (AUC) of 0.95 (CI 0.92 to 0.97) for ages <65 years, AUC = 0.86 (CI 0.78 to 0.93) in older patients. Separate analysis showed an AUC = 0.83 (CI 0.80 to 0.86) of CRP alone. White blood cell count and temperature were almost useless to discriminate acute colonic diverticulitis from other types of acute abdominal pain, AUC = 0.59 (CI 0.53 to 0.65) for white blood cell count and AUC = 0.57 (0.50 to 0.63) for temperature, respectively.

CONCLUSION

This prospective study demonstrates that standard clinical evaluation by non-specialist doctors based on history, physical examination, and initial blood tests on admission provides a high degree of diagnostic precision in patients with acute colonic diverticulitis.

Risk factors of admission for acute colonic diverticulitis in a population-based cohort study: The North Trondelag Health Study, Norway

AIM

To assess risk factors of hospital admission for acute colonic diverticulitis.

METHODS

The study was conducted as part of the second wave of the population-based North Trondelag Health Study (HUNT2), performed in North Trondelag County, Norway, 1995 to 1997. The study consisted of 42570 participants (65.1% from HUNT2) who were followed up from 1998 to 2012. Of these, 22436 (52.7%) were females. The cases were defined as those 358 participants admitted with acute colonic diverticulitis during follow-up. The remaining participants were used as controls. Univariable and multivariable Cox regression analyses was used for each sex separately after multiple imputation to calculate HR.

RESULTS

Multivariable Cox regression analyses showed that increasing age increased the risk of admission for acute colonic diverticulitis: Comparing with ages < 50 years, females with age 50-70 years had HR = 3.42, P < 0.001 and age > 70 years, HR = 6.19, P < 0.001. In males the corresponding values were HR = 1.85, P = 0.004 and 2.56, P < 0.001. In patients with obesity (body mass index ≥ 30) the HR = 2.06, P < 0.001 in females and HR = 2.58, P < 0.001 in males. In females, present (HR = 2.11, P < 0.001) or previous (HR = 1.65, P = 0.007) cigarette smoking increased the risk of admission. In males, breathlessness (HR = 2.57, P < 0.001) and living in rural areas (HR = 1.74, P = 0.007) increased the risk. Level of education, physical activity, constipation and type of bread eaten showed no association with admission for acute colonic diverticulitis.

CONCLUSION

The risk of hospital admission for acute colonic diverticulitis increased with increasing age, in obese individuals, in ever cigarette smoking females and in males living in rural areas.

Diverticular Disease of the Colon: News From Imaging

Different scenarios embrace computed tomography imaging and diverticula, including asymptomatic (diverticulosis) and symptomatic patients (acute diverticulitis, follow-up of acute diverticulitis, chronic diverticulitis). If the role of computed tomography is validated and widely supported by evidence in case of acute diverticulitis, this is not the case of patients in their follow-up for acute diverticulitis or with symptoms related to diverticula, but without acute inflammation. In these settings, computed tomography colonography is gaining consensus as the preferred radiologic test.

United States Guidelines for Diverticulitis Treatment

Guidelines for diverticular disease management were last supported and published by the American Gastroenterology Association and the American College of Gastroenterology 2 decades ago. Guidelines have been published in other countries and by some societies. These guidelines are suggested as United States of America guidelines. In reality, they are what is practiced in Connecticut at Yale New Haven hospitals. The epidemiology and pathophysiology is described. This is still considered a dietary fiber-deficiency disease that results in high intracolonic pressure with resultant outpocketing of diverticula in the weakest point of the colon at the sites of vascular penetration with developing elastin deposition in the colon wall. The age and gender distribution is described. They are most common in the sigmoid. The guidelines of management are described according to accepted classification of the disease at all stages from onset, to early formation, to mild disease, to complicated disease, to rare specific states. The outcomes and mortality are discussed.

Medical Treatment of Diverticular Disease: Antibiotics

Diverticular disease (DD) of the colon represents the most common disease affecting the large bowel in western countries. Its prevalence is increasing. Recent studies suggest that changes in gut microbiota could contribute to development of symptoms and complication. For this reason antibiotics play a key role in the management of both uncomplicated and complicated DD. Rifaximin has demonstrated to be effective in obtaining symptoms relief at 1 year in patients with uncomplicated DD and to improve symptoms and maintain periods of remission following acute colonic diverticulitis (AD). Despite absence of data that supports the routine use of antibiotic in uncomplicated AD, they are recommended in selected patients. In patients with AD that develop an abscess, conservative treatment with broad-spectrum antibiotics is successful in up to 70% of cases. In patients on conservative treatment where percutaneous drainage fails or peritonitis develops, surgery is considered the standard therapy. In conclusion antibiotics seem to remain the mainstay of treatment in symptomatic uncomplicated DD and AD. Inpatient management and intravenous antibiotics are necessary in complicated AD, while outpatient management is considered the best strategy in the majority of uncomplicated patients.

A population-based case-control study on statin exposure and risk of acute diverticular disease

OBJECTIVE

A reduced risk of perforated diverticular disease among individuals with current statin exposure has been reported. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether statins reduce the risk of acute diverticular disease.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A nation-wide population-based case-control study was performed, including 13,127 cases hospitalised during 2006-2010 with a first-time diagnosis of colonic diverticular disease, and 128,442 control subjects (matched for sex, age, county of residence and calendar year). Emergency surgery, assumed to be a proxy for complicated diverticulitis, was performed on 906 of the cases during the index admission, with 8818 matched controls. Statin exposure was classified as "current" or "former" if a statin prescription was last dispensed ≤ 125 days or >125 days before index date, respectively. The association between statin exposure and acute diverticular disease was investigated by conditional logistic regression, including models adjusting for country of birth, educational level, marital status, comorbidities, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug/steroid exposure and healthcare utilisation.

RESULTS

A total of 1959 cases (14.9%) and 16,456 controls (12.8%) were current statin users (crude OR 1.23 [95% CI 1.17-1.30]; fully adjusted OR 1.00 [0.94-1.06]). One hundred and thirty-two of the cases subjected to surgery (14.6%), and 1441 of the corresponding controls (16.3%) were current statin users (crude OR 0.89 [95% CI 0.73-1.08]; fully adjusted OR 0.70 [0.55-0.89]).

CONCLUSIONS

The results do not indicate that statins affect the development of symptomatic diverticular disease in general. However, current statin use was associated with a reduced risk of emergency surgery for diverticular disease.

Symptomatic Treatment for Uncomplicated Acute Diverticulitis: A Prospective Cohort Study

BACKGROUND

Even though evidence for nonantibiotic treatment of uncomplicated diverticulitis exists, it has not gained widespread adoption.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this prospective single-arm study was to analyze the safety and efficacy of symptomatic (nonantibiotic) treatment for uncomplicated diverticulitis during a 30-day follow-up period.

DESIGN

This study is a single-arm prospective trial (ClinicalTrials.gov ID NCT02219698).

SETTINGS

This study was performed at an academic teaching hospital functioning as both a tertiary and secondary care referral center.

PATIENTS

Patients, who had CT-verified uncomplicated acute colonic diverticulitis (including diverticulitis with pericolic air), were evaluated for the study. Patients with ongoing antibiotic therapy, immunosuppression, suspicion of peritonitis, organ dysfunction, pregnancy, or other infections requiring antibiotics were excluded.

INTERVENTIONS

Symptomatic in- or outpatient treatment consisted of mild analgesics (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug or paracetamol).

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

The incidence of complicated diverticulitis was the primary outcome.

RESULTS

Overall, 161 patients were included in the study, and 153 (95%) completed the 30-day follow-up. Four (3%) of these patients were misdiagnosed (abscess in the initial CT scan). A total of 14 (9%) patients had pericolic air. Altogether, 140 (87%) patients were treated as outpatients, and 4 (3%) of them were admitted to the hospital during the follow-up. None of the patients developed complicated diverticulitis or required surgery, but, 2 days (median) after inclusion, antibiotics were given to 14 (9%, 6 orally, 8 intravenously) patients.

LIMITATIONS

This study is limited by the lack of a comparison group and by the relatively short follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS

Symptomatic treatment of uncomplicated diverticulitis without antibiotics is safe and effective.

Colonic Diverticula and Diverticular Disease: 10 Facts Clinicians Should Know

Diverticular disease accounts for substantial health care utilization and costs. Despite this public health burden, clinical practice has been largely based on poor-quality evidence. Fortunately, there is growing interest in this neglected disease. Based on recent work, clinicians should be familiar with the following 10 facts about diverticula and diverticular disease.

Selective non-antibiotic treatment in sigmoid diverticulitis: is it time to change the traditional approach?

BACKGROUND

A growing body of knowledge is calling into question the use of antibiotics in acute diverticulitis (AD). Moreover, recent studies provide evidence regarding the security of treating patients with AD as outpatients. The aim of this study was to evaluate a restrictive antibiotic outpatient protocol for the treatment of mild-to-moderate episodes of AD.

METHODS

All patients with symptoms of AD presenting to our emergency department were assigned a modified Neff stage. Patients with mild AD received outpatient treatment without antibiotics. Patients with mild AD and comorbidities were admitted to receive the same treatment. Patients with moderate AD were admitted for 48 h and were then managed as outpatients until they had completed 10 days of antibiotic treatment.

RESULTS

Between April 2013 and November 2014, we attended 110 patients with a diagnosis of AD, 77 of whom we included in the study: 45 patients with mild AD and 32 with moderate AD. Of the patients with mild AD, 88.8 % successfully completed the non-antibiotic, non-admission treatment regime and 95.5 % benefited from a non-antibiotic regime, whether as outpatients or inpatients. A total of 88 % of patients with mild AD and 87.5 % of patients with moderate AD who met the inclusion criteria completed treatment as outpatients without incident. No major complications (abscess, emergency surgery) or deaths were recorded.

CONCLUSIONS

Outpatient treatment without antibiotics for patients with mild AD is safe and effective. Patients with moderate AD can be safely treated with antibiotics in a mixed regime as inpatients and outpatients.

Clinically Diagnosed Acute Diverticulitis in Outpatients: Misdiagnosis in Patients with Irritable Bowel Syndrome

BACKGROUND

Physicians often diagnose diverticulitis and prescribe antibiotics in outpatients with abdominal pain and tenderness without other evidence.

AIM

We investigated the misattribution of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) symptoms to diverticulitis in outpatients.

METHODS

In patients diagnosed with diverticulitis and dispensed antibiotics in an integrated healthcare system, we retrospectively compared 15,846 outpatients managed without computed tomography (CT) versus 3750 emergency department/inpatients who had CT. We assessed demographics and past history, including 17 symptom-based somatic and 11 mental disorders and three somatic-mental comorbidity pairs (dyads) coded over 3 years and seven drug classes dispensed over 1 year before diagnosis.

RESULTS

Univariate analysis showed small intergroup demographic differences. Outpatients had increases in prior diverticulitis, including outpatient-managed episodes, total somatic diagnoses (p < .0001), eight somatic and three mental disorders (p ≤ .015), all three dyads (p ≤ .05), and dispensing of three drug classes (p ≤ .016). IBS had been diagnosed in 2399 (15.1 %) outpatients versus 361 (9.6 %) emergency department/inpatients (p < .0001), the greatest increase in any comorbidity. Emergency department/inpatients had no somatic comorbidity more often but more alcohol dependence, non-dependent drug abuse, and opioid dispensing (p ≤ .05). Regression analysis revealed outpatient care was independently positively associated with younger age, non-Hispanic white race/ethnicity, less Charlson comorbidity, diverticulitis history, IBS, chest pain, dyspepsia, fibromyalgia, low back pain, migraine, acute reaction to stress, and antispasmodic and anxiolytic dispensing and negatively associated with non-dependent drug abuse and opioid dispensing (p ≤ .0226).

CONCLUSIONS

Multiple types of indirect and concordant evidence suggest misattribution of IBS pain to diverticulitis and unnecessary antibiotic therapy in outpatients.

Advances in laparoscopy for acute care surgery and trauma

The greatest advantages of laparoscopy when compared to open surgery include the faster recovery times, shorter hospital stays, decreased postoperative pain, earlier return to work and resumption of normal daily activity as well as cosmetic benefits. Laparoscopy today is considered the gold standard of care in the treatment of cholecystitis and appendicitis worldwide. Laparoscopy has even been adopted in colorectal surgery with good results. The technological improvements in this surgical field along with the development of modern techniques and the acquisition of specific laparoscopic skills have allowed for its utilization in operations with fully intracorporeal anastomoses. Further progress in laparoscopy has included single-incision laparoscopic surgery and natural orifice trans-luminal endoscopic surgery. Nevertheless, laparoscopy for emergency surgery is still considered challenging and is usually not recommended due to the lack of adequate experience in this area. The technical difficulties of operating in the presence of diffuse peritonitis or large purulent collections and diffuse adhesions are also given as reasons. However, the potential advantages of laparoscopy, both in terms of diagnosis and therapy, are clear. Major advantages may be observed in cases with diffuse peritonitis secondary to perforated peptic ulcers, for example, where laparoscopy allows the confirmation of the diagnosis, the identification of the position of the ulcer and a laparoscopic repair with effective peritoneal washout. Laparoscopy has also revolutionized the approach to complicated diverticulitis even when intestinal perforation is present. Many other emergency conditions can be effectively managed laparoscopically, including trauma in select hemodynamically-stable patients. We have therefore reviewed the most recent scientific literature on advances in laparoscopy for acute care surgery and trauma in order to demonstrate the current indications and outcomes associated with a laparoscopic approach to the treatment of the most common emergency surgical conditions.

A Markov Decision Model to Guide Treatment of Recurrent Colonic Diverticulitis

BACKGROUND & AIMS

Although colonic diverticulitis is a common disorder, there is no clear treatment strategy for patients with recurrent episodes of diverticulitis. We investigated whether colonic resection or conservative or medical treatments have the greatest effects on quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs).

METHODS

A Markov model simulating patients with 2 episodes of non-surgically treated diverticulitis was used to simulate all relevant outcomes of each treatment strategy. A 1-year cycle length with 10-year follow-up period was used to allow for chance of recurrent diverticulitis. Primary outcome was QALYs gained from each strategy. Factors considered were morbidity, mortality, chance of colostomy formation, risk of recurrence, and persistence of abdominal pain. The probabilities of clinical events were determined by using the best available published data.

RESULTS

A strategy in which colonic resection was performed after 2 episodes of diverticulitis was associated with the lowest quality-adjusted survival (a gain of 8.66 QALYs) and highest chance of stoma formation (1.1%) but the lowest chance of a mild (3.5%) or severe (1.1%) recurrence. The strategies of colonic resection or conservative or medical treatment after the third episode of diverticulitis were comparable in terms of quality-adjusted survival, providing 8.78, 8.76, and 8.74 QALYs, respectively. Probabilistic sensitivity analysis did not change these results. Persistent abdominal complaints were lowest in the medical treatment strategy.

CONCLUSIONS

Elective surgery after 2 episodes of diverticulitis should be questioned in terms of QALYs. After the third episode of diverticulitis, surgical or conservative or medical treatments provide similar QALYs, but rates of abdominal symptoms are lower with the medical treatment strategy. This Markov decision model has limitations when the individual patient and physician face a complex decision weighing early and long-term risks and benefits of elective surgery or conservative management.

Interactive Learning Module Improves Resident Knowledge of Risks of Ionizing Radiation Exposure From Medical Imaging

Physician awareness of the risks of ionizing radiation exposure related to medical imaging is poor. Effective educational interventions informing physicians of such risk, especially in emergency medicine (EM), are lacking. The SIEVERT (Suboptimal Ionizing Radiation Exposure Education - A Void in Emergency Medicine Residency Training) learning module was designed to improve provider knowledge of the risks of radiation exposure from medical imaging and comfort in communicating these risks to patients. The 1-hour module consists of introductory lecture, interactive discussion, and role-playing scenarios. In this pilot study, we assessed the educational effect using unmatched, anonymous preintervention and postintervention questionnaires that assessed fund of knowledge, participant self-reported imaging ordering practices in several clinical scenarios, and trainee comfort level in discussing radiation risks with patients. All 25 EM resident participants completed the preintervention questionnaire, and 22 completed the postintervention questionnaire within 4 hours after participation. Correct responses on the 14-question learning assessment increased from 6.32 (standard deviation = 2.36) preintervention to 12.23 (standard deviation = 1.85) post-intervention. Overall, 24% of residents were comfortable with discussing the risks of ionizing radiation exposure with patients preintervention, whereas 41% felt comfortable postintervention. Participants ordered fewer computed tomography scans in 2 of the 4 clinical scenarios after attending the educational intervention. There was improvement in EM residents' knowledge regarding the risks of ionizing radiation exposure from medical imaging, and increased participant self-reported comfort levels in the discussion of these risks with patients after the 1-hour SIEVERT learning module.

Natural history of uncomplicated sigmoid diverticulitis

While diverticular disease is extremely common, the natural history (NH) of its most frequent presentation (i.e., sigmoid diverticulitis) is poorly investigated. Relevant information is mostly restricted to population-based or retrospective studies. This comprehensive review aimed to evaluate the NH of simple sigmoid diverticulitis. While there is a clear lack of uniformity in terminology, which results in difficulties interpreting and comparing findings between studies, this review demonstrates the benign nature of simple sigmoid diverticulitis. The overall recurrence rate is relatively low, ranging from 13% to 47%, depending on the definition used by the authors. Among different risk factors for recurrence, patients with C-reactive protein > 240 mg/L are three times more likely to recur. Other risk factors include: Young age, a history of several episodes of acute diverticulitis, medical vs surgical management, male patients, radiological signs of complicated first episode, higher comorbidity index, family history of diverticulitis, and length of involved colon > 5 cm. The risk of developing a complicated second episode (and its corollary to require an emergency operation) is less than 2%-5%. In fact, the old rationale for elective surgery as a preventive treatment, based mainly on concerns that recurrence would result in a progressively increased risk of sepsis or the need for a colostomy, is not upheld by the current evidence.

Management of diverticular disease

Diverticular disease is a common condition in Western countries and the incidence and prevalence of the disease is increasing. The pathogenetic factors involved include structural changes in the gut that increase with age, a diet low in fibre and rich in meat, changes in intestinal motility, the concept of enteric neuropathy and an underlying genetic background. Current treatment strategies are hampered by insufficient options to stratify patients according to individual risk. One of the main reasons is the lack of an all-encompassing classification system of diverticular disease. In response, the German Society for Gastroenterology and Digestive Diseases (DGVS) has proposed a classification system as part of its new guideline for the diagnosis and management of diverticular disease. The classification system includes five main types of disease: asymptomatic diverticulosis, acute uncomplicated and complicated diverticulitis, as well as chronic diverticular disease and diverticular bleeding. Here, we review prevention and treatment strategies stratified by these five main types of disease, from prevention of the first attack of diverticulitis to the management of chronic complications and diverticular bleeding.

Effect of oral mesalamine on inflammatory response in acute uncomplicated diverticulitis

AIM: To evaluate the impact of mesalamine administration on inflammatory response in acute uncomplicated diverticulitis.

METHODS: We conducted a single centre retrospective cohort study on patients admitted to our surgical department between January 2012 and May 2014 with a computed tomography -confirmed diagnosis of acute uncomplicated diverticulitis. A total of 50 patients were included in the analysis, 20 (study group) had received 3.2 g/d of mesalamine starting from the day of admission in addition to the usual standard treatment, 30 (control group) had received standard therapy alone. Data was retrieved from a prospective database. Our primary study endpoints were: C reactive protein mean levels over time and their variation from baseline (ΔCRP) over the first three days of treatment. Secondary end points included: mean white blood cell and neutrophile count over time, time before regaining of regular bowel movements (passing of stools), time before reintroduction of food intake, intensity of lower abdominal pain over time, analgesic consumption and length of hospital stay.

RESULTS: Patients characteristics and inflammatory parameters were similar at baseline in the two groups. The evaluation of CRP levels over time showed, in treated patients, a distinct trend towards a faster decrease compared to controls. This difference approached statistical significance on day 2 (mean CRP 6.0 +/- 4.2 mg/dL and 10.0 +/- 6.7 mg/dL respectively in study group vs controls, P = 0.055). ΔCRP evaluation evidenced a significantly greater increment of this inflammatory marker in the control group on day 1 (P = 0.03). A similar trend towards a faster resolution of inflammation was observed evaluating the total white blood cell count. Neutrophile levels were significantly lower in treated patients on day 2 and on day 3 (P < 0.05 for both comparisons). Mesalamine administration was also associated with an earlier reintroduction of food intake (median 1.5 d and 3 d, study group vs controls respectively, P < 0.001) and with a shorter hospital stay (median 5 d and 5.5 d, study group vs controls respectively, P = 0.03).

CONCLUSION: Despite its limitations, this study suggests that mesalamine may allow for a faster recovery and for a reduction of inflammatory response in acute uncomplicated diverticulitis.

Short-term Intravenous Antibiotic Treatment in Uncomplicated Diverticulitis Does Not Increase the Risk of Recurrence Compared to Long-term Treatment

PURPOSE

This study included all patients treated at the University Hospital of Geneva for a first episode of uncomplicated diverticulitis. Risks of recurrence and treatment failure were evaluated by comparing the results between short-course and long-course intravenous (IV) antibiotic therapy groups.

METHODS

The records of all patients hospitalized at our facility from January 2007 to February 2012 for a first episode of uncomplicated diverticulitis (Hinchey Ia), as confirmed by computed tomography, were prospectively collected. We published an auxiliary analysis from this registered study at Clinicaltrials.gov (identifier number: NCT01015378). Two groups of patients were considered: one received a short-course IV antibiotic arm (ceftriaxone and metronidazole) for up to 5 days (followed by 5 days of oral antibiotics); the other received a long-course IV arm between days 5 and 10. The primary outcome was the recurrence-free survival time.

RESULTS

Follow-up was completed for 256 patients-50% men and 50% women, with a median age of 56 years (range, 24-85 years). The average follow-up was 50 months (range, 19-89 months). Of the 256 patients included in the study, 46 patients received a short-course IV antibiotic treatment and 210 received a long-course treatment. The recurrence-free survivals were very similar between the two groups, which was supported by a log rank test (P = 0.772). Four treatment failures, all in the long-course IV antibiotic treatment group, occurred.

CONCLUSION

Treatment of diverticulitis with a short IV antibiotic treatment is possible and does not modify the recurrence rate in patients with uncomplicated diverticulitis.

Elective Surgery for Sigmoid Diverticulitis - Indications, Techniques, and Results

Diverticulitis is one of the leading indications for elective colonic resections although there is an ongoing controversial discussion about classification, stage-dependent therapeutic options, and therapy settings. As there is a rising trend towards conservative therapy for diverticular disease even in patients with a complicated form of diverticulitis, we provide a compact overview of current surgical therapy principles and the remaining questions to be answered.

Operative management of acute diverticulitis in immunosuppressed compared to immunocompetent patients: A systematic review

AIM: To determine short and long-term outcomes following operative management of acute diverticulitis in immunosuppressed (IMS) compared to immunocompetent (IMC) patients.

METHODS: PRISMA guidelines were followed in conducting this systematic review. We searched PubMed (1946 to present), OVID MEDLINE(R) In-Process and Other Non-Indexed Citations, OVID MEDLINE(R) Daily and OVID MEDLINE(R) (1946 to present), EMBASE on OVID platform (1947 to present), CINAHL on EBSCO platform (1981 to present), and Cochrane Library using a systematic search strategy. There were no restrictions on publication date and language. We systematically reviewed all published cohort comparative studies, case-control studies, and randomized controlled trials that reported outcomes on operative management of acute episode of colonic diverticulitis in IMS in comparison to IMC patients.

RESULTS: Seven hundred and fifty-five thousand five hundred and eighty-three patients were included in this systematic review; of which 1478 were IMS and 754105 were IMC patients. Of the nine studies included there was one prospective cohort, seven retrospective cohorts, one retrospective case-control study, and no randomized controlled trials. With the exception of solid organ transplant patients, IMS patients appeared to be older than IMC when they presented with an acute episode of diverticulitis. IMS patients presented with more severe acute diverticulitis and more insidious onset of symptoms than IMC patients. In the emergency setting, peritonitis was the main indication for operative intervention in both IMS and IMC patients. IMS patients were more likely to undergo Hartmann’s procedure and less likely to undergo reconstructive procedures compared to IMC patients. Furthermore, IMS patients had higher morbidity and mortality rates in the emergency setting compared to IMC patients. In the elective settings, it appeared that reconstruction with primary anastomosis with or without a diverting loop stoma is the procedure of choice in the IMS patients and carried minimal morbidity and mortality equivalent to IMC patients.

CONCLUSION: Emergency operations for diverticulitis in IMS compared to IMC patients have higher morbidity and mortality, whereas, in the elective setting both groups have comparable outcomes.

A proposal for a CT driven classification of left colon acute diverticulitis

Computed tomography (CT) imaging is the most appropriate diagnostic tool to confirm suspected left colonic diverticulitis. However, the utility of CT imaging goes beyond accurate diagnosis of diverticulitis; the grade of severity on CT imaging may drive treatment planning of patients presenting with acute diverticulitis. The appropriate management of left colon acute diverticulitis remains still debated because of the vast spectrum of clinical presentations and different approaches to treatment proposed. The authors present a new simple classification system based on both CT scan results driving decisions making management of acute diverticulitis that may be universally accepted for day to day practice.

Left colon acute diverticulitis: an update on diagnosis, treatment and prevention

Diverticulosis of the colon is a common disease with an increasing incidence in Western Countries. It represents a significant burden for National Health Systems in terms of costs. Most people with diverticulosis remain asymptomatic, about one quarter of them will develop an episode of symptomatic diverticular disease and up to 5% an episode of acute diverticulitis (AD). AD shows an increasing prevalence. Recently, progresses have been reached about the etiology, pathogenesis, natural course of diverticular disease and its complications; improvements about the diagnosis and treatment of AD have been achieved. However, the treatment options are not well defined because of a lack of solid evidence: there are few systematic reviews and well conducted trials to guide decision-making in the treatment of AD and in the prevention of its recurrences. This review describes the recent evidence about diagnosis, treatment and prevention of AD.

Yield of colonoscopy after recent CT-proven uncomplicated acute diverticulitis: a comparative cohort study

BACKGROUND

Current guidelines recommend routine follow-up colonoscopy after acute diverticulitis to confirm the diagnosis and exclude malignancy. Its value, however, has recently been questioned because of contradictory study results. Our objective was to compare the colonoscopic detection rate of advanced colonic neoplasia (ACN), comprising colorectal cancer (CRC) and advanced adenoma (AA), in patients after a CT-proven primary episode of uncomplicated acute diverticulitis with average risk participants in a primary colonoscopy CRC screening program.

METHODS

A retrospective comparison was performed of prospectively collected data from cohorts derived from two multicenter randomized clinical trials executed in the Netherlands between 2009 and 2013. 401 uncomplicated diverticulitis patients and 1,426 CRC screening participants underwent colonic evaluation by colonoscopy. Main outcome was the diagnostic yield for ACN, calculated as number of diverticulitis patients and screening participants with ACN relative to their totals, with differences expressed as odds ratios (OR). The histopathology outcome of removed lesions during colonoscopy was used as definitive diagnosis.

RESULTS

AA detection was similar [5.5 vs. 8.7%; OR 0.62 (95% CI 0.38-1.01); P = 0.053]. CRC was detected in 1.2% (5/401) of diverticulitis patients versus 0.6% (9/1,426) of screening participants [OR 1.30 (95% CI 0.39-4.36); P = 0.673]. ACN was diagnosed in 6.7% (27/401) of diverticulitis patients versus 9.1% (130/1,426) of screening participants [OR 0.71 (95% CI 0.45-1.11); P = 0.134]. ORs were adjusted for age, family history of CRC, smoking, BMI, and cecal intubation rate.

CONCLUSIONS

ACN detection does not differ significantly between patients with recent uncomplicated diverticulitis and average risk screening participants. Routine follow-up colonoscopy after primary CT-proven uncomplicated left-sided acute diverticulitis can be omitted; these patients can participate in CRC screening programs. Follow-up colonoscopy may be beneficial when targeted at high-risk patients, but such an approach first needs prospective evaluation.

Systematic review of evidence and consensus on diverticulitis: an analysis of national and international guidelines

AIM

The study aimed to analyse the currently available national and international guidelines for areas of consensus and contrasting recommendations in the treatment of diverticulitis and thereby to design questions for future research.

METHOD

MEDLINE, EMBASE and PubMed were systematically searched for guidelines on diverticular disease and diverticulitis. Inclusion was confined to papers in English and those < 10 years old. The included topics were classified as consensus or controversy between guidelines, and the highest level of evidence was scored as sufficient (Oxford Centre of Evidence-Based Medicine Level of Evidence of 3a or higher) or insufficient.

RESULTS

Six guidelines were included and all topics with recommendations were compared. Overall, in 13 topics consensus was reached and 10 topics were regarded as controversial. In five topics, consensus was reached without sufficient evidence and in three topics there was no evidence and no consensus. Clinical staging, the need for intraluminal imaging, dietary restriction, duration of antibiotic treatment, the protocol for abscess treatment, the need for elective surgery in subgroups of patients, the need for surgery after abscess treatment and the level of the proximal resection margin all lack consensus or evidence.

CONCLUSION

Evidence on the diagnosis and treatment of diverticular disease and diverticulitis ranged from nonexistent to strong, regardless of consensus. The most relevant research questions were identified and proposed as topics for future research.

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

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 diverticulitis to rule out malignancy. Yet, the data supporting routine colonoscopy after acute diverticulitis is sparse and based small cohort studies utilizing outdated technology. While any patient with an indication for a colonoscopy should undergo appropriate endoscopic evaluation, in the era of widespread use of high-resolution computed tomography, routine colonic endoscopic evaluation following resolution of acute uncomplicated diverticulitis poses additional costs, comes with inherent risks, and may require further study. In this manuscript, we review the current data related to this recommendation.

Toward an evidence-based step-up approach in diagnosing diverticulitis

BACKGROUND

The lack of pathognomonic findings and the chance of complicated disease have resulted in the widespread use of additional imaging to diagnose acute colonic diverticulitis (ACD). The added value of additional imaging in the diagnostic workup of patients suspected of ACD is not well defined.

AIMS

The aim of this study was to systematically review the literature of the accuracy of the clinical evaluation and diagnostic modalities for patients with suspected ACD, to come to an evidence-based approach to diagnose ACD.

METHODS

A systematic review and meta-analysis of studies that reported diagnostic accuracy of the clinical diagnosis and diagnostic modalities in patients with suspected diverticulitis were performed. Study quality was assessed with the STARD checklist. True-positive, true-negative, false-positive, and false-negative findings were extracted and pooled estimates of sensitivity and specificity per diagnostic test were calculated, if applicable.

RESULTS

The overall quality of the studies reporting the diagnostic accuracy of the clinical diagnosis, contrast enema and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were moderate to poor and not suitable for meta-analysis. Sensitivity of the clinical diagnosis varied between 64% and 68%. Ultrasound (US) and computed tomography (CT) studies were eligible for meta-analysis. Summary sensitivity estimates for US were 90% (95% CI: 76-98%) versus 95% (95% CI: 91-97%) for CT (p = 0.86). Summary specificity estimates for US were 90% (95% CI: 86-94%) versus 96% (95% CI: 90-100%) for CT (p = 0.04). Sensitivity for MRI was 98% and specificity varied between 70% and 78%. Sensitivity of contrast enema studies varied between 80% and 83%.

CONCLUSION

In two-thirds of the patients, the diagnosis of ACD can be made based on clinical evaluation alone. In one-third of the patients, additional imaging is a necessity to establish the diagnosis. US and CT are comparable in diagnosing diverticulitis and superior to other modalities. CT has the advantage of higher specificity and the ability to identify alternative diagnoses. The role of MRI is not yet clear in diagnosing ACD. Contrast enema is considered an obsolete imaging technique to diagnose ACD based on lower sensitivity and specificity than US and CT. A step-up approach with CT performed after an inconclusive or negative US, seems a logical and safe approach for patients suspected of ACD.

Review article: The pathogenesis and management of acute colonic diverticulitis

BACKGROUND

Acute diverticulitis, defined as acute inflammation associated with a colonic diverticulum, is a common emergency presentation managed by both surgeons and physicians. There have been advances in both the medical and the surgical treatments offered to patients in recent years.

AIM

To review the current understanding of the aetiology and treatment of acute diverticulitis.

METHODS

A search of PubMed and Medline databases was performed to identify articles relevant to the aetiology, pathogenesis and management of acute diverticulitis.

RESULTS

There are 75 hospital admissions per year for acute diverticulitis per 100,000 of the population in the United States. Recent reports suggest a 26% increase in admissions over a 7-year period. Factors predisposing to the development of acute diverticulitis include obesity, smoking, diet, lack of physical activity and medication use such as aspirin and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. The condition is associated with a low mortality of about 1% following medical therapy, rising to 4% in-hospital mortality in those requiring surgery. There is limited evidence on the efficacy of individual antibiotic regimens, and antibiotic treatment may not be required in all patients. The rates of recurrence reported for patients with acute diverticulitis following medical management vary from 13% to 36%. The surgical management of those patients who fail medical treatment has moved towards a laparoscopic nonresectional approach; however, the evidence supporting this is limited.

CONCLUSIONS

Further high-quality randomised controlled trials are required of both medical and surgical treatments in patients with acute diverticulitis, if management is to be evidence-based.

Position paper: management of perforated sigmoid diverticulitis

Over the last three decades, emergency surgery for perforated sigmoid diverticulitis has evolved dramatically but remains controversial. Diverticulitis is categorized as uncomplicated (amenable to outpatient treatment) versus complicated (requiring hospitalization). Patients with complicated diverticulitis undergo computerized tomography (CT) scanning and the CT findings are used categorize the severity of disease. Treatment of stage I (phlegmon with or without small abscess) and stage II (phlegmon with large abscess) diverticulitis (which includes bowel rest, intravenous antibiotics and percutaneous drainage (PCD) of the larger abscesses) has not changed much over last two decades. On the other hand, treatment of stage III (purulent peritonitis) and stage IV (feculent peritonitis) diverticulitis has evolved dramatically and remains morbid. In the 1980s a two stage procedure (1st - segmental sigmoid resection with end colostomy and 2nd - colostomy closure after three to six months) was standard of care for most general surgeons. However, it was recognized that half of these patients never had their colostomy reversed and that colostomy closure was a morbid procedure. As a result starting in the 1990s colorectal surgical specialists increasing performed a one stage primary resection anastomosis (PRA) and demonstrated similar outcomes to the two stage procedure. In the mid 2000s, the colorectal surgeons promoted this as standard of care. But unfortunately despite advances in perioperative care and their excellent surgical skills, PRA for stage III/IV diverticulitis continued to have a high mortality (10-15%). The survivors require prolonged hospital stays and often do not fully recover. Recent case series indicate that a substantial portion of the patients who previously were subjected to emergency sigmoid colectomy can be successfully treated with less invasive nonoperative management with salvage PCD and/or laparoscopic lavage and drainage. These patients experience a surprisingly lower mortality and more rapid recovery. They are also spared the need for a colostomy and do not appear to benefit from a delayed elective sigmoid colectomy. While we await the final results ongoing prospective randomized clinical trials testing these less invasive alternatives, we have proposed (based primarily on case series and our expert opinions) what we believe safe and rationale management strategy.

Pneumatosis intestinalis associated with enteral tube feeding

A 49-year-old man presented with a Hinchey II perforated diverticulitis and underwent laparoscopic peritoneal lavage. During the postoperative course the patient received enteral tube feeding which was followed by a bowel obstruction accompanied with pneumatosis intestinalis (PI). Explorative laparotomy showed an omental band adhesion without signs of ischaemia. After a short period of total parenteral nutrition PI resolved almost completely and enteral tube feeding could be continued once again. In the weeks that followed the patient developed atypical bowel symptoms and recurrent PI which resolved each time the drip feeding was discontinued. Despite the mild clinical course, a CT scan showed massive PI on day 21 after the laparotomy. After excluding life-threatening conditions conservative management was instituted and the patient recovered completely after discontinuing the drip feeding. We present one of the few cases of subclinical PI associated with enteral tube feeding that could be managed conservatively.

Minimally invasive and surgical management strategies tailored to the severity of acute diverticulitis

BACKGROUND

The severity of acute diverticulitis ranges from mild, simple inflammation to pericolic abscesses, or perforation with faeculent peritonitis. Treatment of diverticulitis has evolved towards more conservative and minimally invasive strategies. The aim of this review is to highlight recent concepts and advances in management.

METHODS

A literature review was performed on the electronic databases MEDLINE from PubMed, Embase and the Cochrane Library for publications in English. The keywords 'diverticulitis', 'diverticular' were searched for the past decade (to September 2013).

RESULTS

Diverticulitis occurs frequently in the Western world, but only one in five patients develops complications (such as abscess and perforation) during the first acute presentation. The reported perforation rate is 3.5 per 100,000 population. Based on recent data, including the AVOD and DIVER trials, antibiotic therapy for mild episodes may be unnecessary and outpatient management reasonable in most patients. Antibiotics and admission to hospital is required for complicated diverticulitis confirmed on imaging and for patients with sepsis. Diverticular abscesses (about 5 per cent of patients) may require percutaneous drainage if antibiotics alone fail. Laparoscopic management of non-faecal perforated diverticulitis is feasible in selected patients, and peritoneal lavage in combination with antibiotic therapy may avoid colonic resection and a stoma. However, the collective, published worldwide experience is limited to fewer than 800 patients, and results from ongoing randomized trials (LapLAND, SCANDIV, DILALA and LADIES trials) are needed to inform better decision-making.

CONCLUSION

The treatment of diverticulitis continues to evolve with a trend towards a more conservative and minimally invasive management approach. Judicious use of antibiotics in uncomplicated cases, greater application of laparoscopic techniques, and primary resection and anastomosis are of benefit in selected patients.