Acute Diverticulitis: 5 Years Experience in a Teaching Hospital in Kuwait

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the diagnostic and therapeutic modalities of all patients admitted to a hospital over a period of time. Methods: Review of the medical files of 60 cases of colonic diverticulitis seen over a period of 5 years at the Amiri Hospital, Kuwait, which serves a population of about 150,000. Results: Two thirds of our patients were females. The age at presentation was lower (56.6 year) than in the West. The commonest presenting manifestation was left iliac fossa pain and tenderness. Plain abdominal X-ray and an erect chest X-ray were the most valuable diagnostic tools. Ultrasound scan was helpful in percutaneous drainage of pericolic abscesses. Combined CT scan with water-soluble enemas is recommended once the patient’s condition is stable. Conclusion: The majority of conservatively managed patients responded well to treatment. Surgery should be reserved for those presenting with generalized peritonitis (6/60), for the very few who do not respond to the conservative modality (4/54), or those who come back with recurrent diverticulitis.