Colonic diverticulosis and diverticular hemorrhage.

Colonic diverticulosis predisposes individuals to lower gastrointestinal hemorrhage in up to 5% of cases. These sac-like protrusions are pseudodiverticula and arise due to a combination of anatomic, dietary, motility, and structural influences. In the setting of acute hemorrhage, patient stabilization takes priority, followed closely by maneuvers aimed at localizing and controlling blood loss. Through the use of an arsenal of tools including colonoscopy, angiography, and nuclear scintigraphy, most diverticular bleeds can be localized and subsequently controlled. When persistent and not controlled by colonoscopic or angiographic means, expeditious surgical resection serves as definitive therapy.