Small bowel diverticulitis: an imaging review of an uncommon entity

Emerg Radiol. 2017 Apr;24(2):195-205. doi: 10.1007/s10140-016-1448-4. Epub 2016 Nov 4.

Abstract

In this review, we discuss the clinical and radiologic findings of small bowel diverticulosis, which is infrequently encountered during practice and far less common than colonic diverticulosis. Small bowel diverticulosis can present with a range of emergent symptomatic complications including diverticulitis, perforation, or hemorrhage. Here, we focus on the clinical features, pathogenesis, radiologic findings, and treatment of small bowel diverticulitis. Although not routinely considered in the differential diagnosis of an acute abdomen, prospective radiologic diagnosis of small bowel diverticulitis is important and can lead to conservative treatment thus preventing unnecessary exploratory laparotomy.

Keywords: Duodenal diverticula; Jejunoileal diverticula; Small bowel diverticulitis.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Diagnostic Imaging*
  • Diverticulitis / diagnostic imaging*
  • Diverticulitis / epidemiology
  • Diverticulitis / therapy
  • Humans
  • Intestine, Small*