Diverticulosis

Disease class: Diverticular diseases

 Pathophysiology

• This refers to the process of diverticula formation in the intestines.  
• The extent of diverticulosis is directly proportional to age.

 

Complications

• Overgrowth of bacteria inside a diverticulum may lead to diverticulitis. 

 

Management

• Diverticulosis is usually ignored unless it is symptomatic. 
• During endoscopies, an endoscope can pass through the lumen of a diverticulum instead of the lumen of the intestines. There is also a risk that the endoscope could perforate a diverticulum. Extensive diverticulosis can make endoscopies very challenging.