Diverticular Disease

Definition

Diverticulum

A sac-like protrusion of mucosa through the muscular colonic wall [1]. Protrusion occurs in weak areas of the bowel wall through which blood vessels can penetrate. Typically 5–10 mm in size. Diverticula are really pseudodiverticular (false diverticula), as they contain only mucosa and submucosa covered by serosa.

Diverticular disease consists of:

• Diverticulosis: the presence of diverticula within the colon
• Diverticulitis: inflammation of a diverticulum
• Diverticular bleeding

Types of diverticular disease:

• Simple (75%), with no complications
• Complicated (25%), with abscesses, fistula, obstruction, peritonitis, and sepsis

Translated Versions

English	French	Portuguese
Mandarin	Russian	Spanish

Feedback

Core Review Team

• Trevor Murphy (Jamaica)
• Richard Hunt (UK)
• Michael Fried (Switzerland)
• Justus H. Krabshuis (France)

« Return to Guidelines