What is the pathophysiology of diverticulitis?

The pathophysiology of diverticulitis is the obstruction of the diverticulum sac by fecalith, which by irritation of the mucosa causes low-grade inflammation, congestion and further obstruction. Diverticulitis may be further classified as uncomplicated and complicated (Fig. 1).

Can diverticulitis affect your heart?

An attack of diverticulitis that causes the colon to perforate, resulting in pus or stool leaking into the abdominal cavity and causing peritonitis. Patients with colonic perforation are usually quite ill, and present with severe abdominal pain and changes in heart rate and blood pressure.

What structures affect diverticulitis?

Diverticulitis most commonly affects the sigmoid colon, which is the last part of the large intestine just before the rectum.

What causes diverticulitis with perforation?

Diverticula usually develop when naturally weak places in your colon give way under pressure. This causes marble-sized pouches to protrude through the colon wall. Diverticulitis occurs when diverticula tear, resulting in inflammation, and in some cases, infection.

What is perforated diverticulitis?

Complications of diverticulitis include abscess, fistula formation, and perforation (rupture). When the bowel perforates, intestinal contents spill into the peritoneal cavity causing peritonitis, an inflammation of the membrane that lines the organs and walls of the abdominal cavity.

What’s the difference between diverticulitis and diverticulosis?

Diverticulosis occurs when small, bulging pouches (diverticula) develop in your digestive tract. When one or more of these pouches become inflamed or infected, the condition is called diverticulitis.

What are the symptoms of perforated diverticulitis?

In more severe diverticulitis, when a perforation or an abscess is suspected, you may experience significant abdominal pain, an inability to tolerate food, constipation, or fever and chills.

How serious is perforated diverticulitis?

When you have acute diverticulitis, a perforated colon is not that unusual because diverticulitis causes tiny tears — perforations — in the colon walls. These tears can grow larger and become problematic. Colonic perforation can also be a life-threatening complication of recent colon surgery called anastomotic leakage.

What is a perforated diverticulitis?

How does a perforated bowel happen?

A perforated bowel happens when a medical condition, such as diverticulitis, causes a hole or tear in your bowel. An injury or blockage may also perforate your bowel. Bowel contents can leak into your abdomen through the hole. This may cause a life-threatening infection.

What can be mistaken for diverticulitis?

Common alternative conditions that can clinically mimic diverticulitis include small bowel obstruction, primary epiploic appendagitis, acute cholecystitis, appendicitis, ileitis, ovarian cystic disease, and ureteral stone disease.