Diverticular disease (General Surgery EOR - Smarty PANCE) Exam Questions and Answers 100% Correct

Diverticular disease (General Surgery EOR - Smarty PANCE) Exam Questions and Answers 100% Correct Describe diverticulitis Infection or perforation of a diverticulum What is diverticulosis? Condition in which diverticula can be found within the colon, especially the sigmoid; diverticula are actually false diverticula in that only mucosa and submucosa herniate through the bowel musculature; true diverticula involve all layers of the bowel wall and are rare in the colon Describe the pathophysiology of diverticulosis? Weakness in the bowel wall develops at points where nutrient blood vessels enter between antimesenteric and mesenteric taeniae; increased intraluminal pressures then cause herniation through these areas What is the pathophysiology of diverticulitis? Obstruction of diverticulum by a fecalith leading to inflammation and microperforation What are the signs/ symptoms of diverticulitis? LLQ pain (cramping or steady), change in bowel habits (diarrhea), fever, chills, ano- rexia, LLQ mass, nausea/vomiting, dysuria What are the associated lab findings with diverticulitis? Increased WBCs What are the associated radiographic findings with diverticulitis? On x-ray: ileus, partially obstructed colon, air-fluid levels, free air if perforated On abdominal/pelvic CT scan: swollen, edematous bowel wall; particularly helpful in diagnosing an abscess What are the associated barium enema findings with diverticulitis? Barium enema should be avoided in acute cases Is colonoscopy safe in an acute setting of diverticulitis?