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Complications
By Mayo Clinic staffComplications of diverticulitis may include:
- Peritonitis, which can occur if the infected or inflamed pouch ruptures, spilling intestinal contents into your abdominal cavity. This can cause an inflammation of the lining of your abdominal cavity (peritoneum). Peritonitis is a medical emergency and requires immediate care.
- Rectal bleeding
- A blockage in your colon or small intestine caused by scarring
- An abscess, which occurs when pus collects in the pouch
- A fistula, which is an abnormal passageway that occurs between different parts of your intestine, between your intestine and your bladder or vagina, or between your intestine and abdominal wall.
Although there doesn't appear to be a direct link between diverticular disease and colon or rectal cancer, it may make cancer more difficult to diagnose. And rarely, what appears to be diverticulitis may be colon cancer. Because of this, your doctor will likely recommend a colonoscopy after you've recovered from a bout of diverticulitis along with more frequent cancer-screening tests. A colonoscopy is a test that allows your doctor to examine your entire colon and rectum for abnormalities using a long, flexible tube with a tiny video camera at the tip (colonoscope).
- Diverticulosis and diverticulitis. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/diverticulosis. Accessed March 30, 2009.
- McQuaid KR, Gastrointestinal disorders. In: McPhee SJ, et al. Current Medical Diagnosis & Treatment 2009. 48th ed. Los Altos, Calif.: Lange Medical Publications; 2009. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=6395. Accessed March 30, 2009.
- Diverticulitis. The Merck Manuals: The Merck Manual for Healthcare Professionals. http://www.merck.com/mmpe/print/sec02/ch019/ch019c.html. Accessed March 30, 2009.
- Young-Fadok T, et al. Epidemiology and pathophysiology of colonic diverticular disease. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed March 30, 2009.
- Jacobs DO. Clinical practice: Diverticulitis. New England Journal of Medicine. 2007;357:2057.
- Strate LL, et al. Nut, corn, and popcorn consumption and the incidence of diverticular disease. Journal of the American Medical Association. 2008;300:907.
- Fox JM, et al. Diverticular disease of the colon: Epidemiology. In: Feldman M, et al. Sleisenger & Fordtran's Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease: Pathophysiology, Diagnosis, Management. 8th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2006. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/128818258-3/0/1389/861.html?tocnode=51643533&fromURL=861.html#4-u1.0-B1-4160-0245-6..50119-0_5426. Accessed March 30, 2009.
- Fox JM, et al. Diverticular disease of the colon: Etiology. In: Feldman M, et al. Sleisenger & Fordtran's Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease: Pathophysiology, Diagnosis, Management. 8th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2006. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/128818258-3/0/1389/863.html?tocnode=51643536&fromURL=863.html#4-u1.0-B1-4160-0245-6..50119-0--cesec3_5429. Accessed March 30, 2009.
- Picco MF (expert review). Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, Fla. March 31, 2009.
