In the Clinic
1 May 2018

Acute Colonic Diverticulitis

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Publication: Annals of Internal Medicine
Volume 168, Number 9

Abstract

This article has been corrected. The original version (PDF) is appended to this article as a Supplement.
Acute colonic diverticulitis is a gastrointestinal condition frequently encountered by primary care practitioners, hospitalists, surgeons, and gastroenterologists. Clinical presentation ranges from mild abdominal pain to peritonitis with sepsis. It can often be diagnosed on the basis of clinical features alone, but imaging is necessary in more severe presentations to rule out such complications as abscess and perforation. Treatment depends on the severity of the presentation, presence of complications, and underlying comorbid conditions. Medical and surgical treatment algorithms are evolving. This article provides an evidence-based, clinically relevant overview of the epidemiology, diagnosis, and treatment of acute diverticulitis.

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Supplemental Material

Clinical Slide Set. Acute Colonic Diverticulitis.

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Information & Authors

Information

Published In

cover image Annals of Internal Medicine
Annals of Internal Medicine
Volume 168Number 91 May 2018
Pages: ITC65 - ITC80

History

Published online: 1 May 2018
Published in issue: 1 May 2018

Keywords

Authors

Affiliations

Sophia M. Swanson, MD
From the University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, Washington. (S.M.S., L.L.S.)
Lisa L. Strate, MD, MPH
From the University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, Washington. (S.M.S., L.L.S.)
CME Objective: To review current evidence for diagnosis, treatment, and practice improvement of acute colonic diverticulitis.
Funding Source: American College of Physicians.
Disclosures: Dr. Swanson, ACP Contributing Author, has disclosed no conflicts of interest. Dr. Strate, ACP Contributing Author, reports grants from the National Institutes of Health during the conduct of the study. Disclosures can also be viewed at www.acponline.org/authors/icmje/ConflictOfInterestForms.do?msNum=M18-0023.
Editors' Disclosures: Christine Laine, MD, MPH, Editor in Chief, reports that her spouse has stock options/holdings with Targeted Diagnostics and Therapeutics. Darren B. Taichman, MD, PhD, Executive Editor, reports that he has no financial relationships or interests to disclose. Cynthia D. Mulrow, MD, MSc, Senior Deputy Editor, reports that she has no relationships or interests to disclose. Deborah Cotton, MD, MPH, Deputy Editor, reports that she has no financial relationships or interest to disclose. Jaya K. Rao, MD, MHS, Deputy Editor, reports that she has stock holdings/options in Eli Lilly and Pfizer. Sankey V. Williams, MD, Deputy Editor, reports that he has no financial relationships or interests to disclose. Catharine B. Stack, PhD, MS, Deputy Editor for Statistics, reports that she has stock holdings in Pfizer and Johnson & Johnson.
With the assistance of additional physician writers, the editors of Annals of Internal Medicine develop In the Clinic using MKSAP and other resources of the American College of Physicians.
In the Clinic does not necessarily represent official ACP clinical policy. For ACP clinical guidelines, please go to https://www.acponline.org/clinical_information/guidelines/.

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Sophia M. Swanson, Lisa L. Strate. Acute Colonic Diverticulitis. Ann Intern Med.2018;168:ITC65-ITC80. [Epub 1 May 2018]. doi:10.7326/AITC201805010

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