George Ou1, Greg Rosenfeld1, Jacqueline Brown1, Nathan Chan1, Thomas Hong1, Howard Lim1, Brian Bressler1. 1. From the Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology (Ou, Rosenfield, Bressler) and the Department of Radiology (Brown), St. Paul's Hospital, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC; the Department of Medicine, Vancouver General Hospital, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC (Chan); the Department of Family Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alta (Hong); and the Department of Medical Oncology, British Columbia Cancer Agency, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC (Lim).
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Computed tomography (CT) scans are commonly used to diagnose acute diverticulitis, but there are overlapping features between diverticulitis and colorectal cancer (CRC) on imaging studies. Hence, colonoscopy is typically recommended after an episode of acute diverticulitis to rule out underlying malignancy. Currently, 64-slice multidetector CT scanners are capable of providing higher-resolution images and may be able to distinguish malignancy from diverticular inflammation. We aimed to determine the prevalence of CRC among patients with CT-diagnosed acute diverticulitis. METHODS: We performed a retrospective study of patients with acute diverticulitis diagnosed on CT scan between December 2005 and December 2010 at St. Paul's Hospital, Vancouver, BC. Nonresidents were excluded. We reviewed CT scan reports that included the term "diverticulitis," reports of follow-up colonic evaluation within 1 year of diagnosis and pathology results. We queried the provincial cancer registry to ensure no cases of CRC were missed. RESULTS: A total of 293 patients had acute diverticulitis diagnosed on CT scan, but 8 were nonresidents and were excluded. Of the 285 included in the analysis, the mean age was 59.4 ± 15.1 years, and 167 (58.6%) were men. Among the 114 patients who underwent follow-up evaluation, malignancy was diagnosed in 4 (3.5%). The overall prevalence of malignancy among patients with CT-diagnosed diverticulitis was 1.4%. CONCLUSION: Routine endoscopic evaluation after an episode of diverticulitis diagnosed with high-resolution CT scan does not appear to be necessary. Selective approach in patients with protracted clinical course or those with mass lesion/obstruction on CT scan may be of benefit.
BACKGROUND: Computed tomography (CT) scans are commonly used to diagnose acute diverticulitis, but there are overlapping features between diverticulitis and colorectal cancer (CRC) on imaging studies. Hence, colonoscopy is typically recommended after an episode of acute diverticulitis to rule out underlying malignancy. Currently, 64-slice multidetector CT scanners are capable of providing higher-resolution images and may be able to distinguish malignancy from diverticular inflammation. We aimed to determine the prevalence of CRC among patients with CT-diagnosed acute diverticulitis. METHODS: We performed a retrospective study of patients with acute diverticulitis diagnosed on CT scan between December 2005 and December 2010 at St. Paul's Hospital, Vancouver, BC. Nonresidents were excluded. We reviewed CT scan reports that included the term "diverticulitis," reports of follow-up colonic evaluation within 1 year of diagnosis and pathology results. We queried the provincial cancer registry to ensure no cases of CRC were missed. RESULTS: A total of 293 patients had acute diverticulitis diagnosed on CT scan, but 8 were nonresidents and were excluded. Of the 285 included in the analysis, the mean age was 59.4 ± 15.1 years, and 167 (58.6%) were men. Among the 114 patients who underwent follow-up evaluation, malignancy was diagnosed in 4 (3.5%). The overall prevalence of malignancy among patients with CT-diagnosed diverticulitis was 1.4%. CONCLUSION: Routine endoscopic evaluation after an episode of diverticulitis diagnosed with high-resolution CT scan does not appear to be necessary. Selective approach in patients with protracted clinical course or those with mass lesion/obstruction on CT scan may be of benefit.
Authors: Wytze Laméris; Adrienne van Randen; Shandra Bipat; Patrick M M Bossuyt; Marja A Boermeester; Jaap Stoker Journal: Eur Radiol Date: 2008-06-04 Impact factor: 5.315
Authors: Mantaj S Brar; George Roxin; Paul B Yaffe; Jennifer Stanger; Anthony R MacLean; W Donald Buie Journal: Dis Colon Rectum Date: 2013-11 Impact factor: 4.585
Authors: S J Rottier; S T van Dijk; A A W van Geloven; W H Schreurs; W A Draaisma; W A van Enst; J B C M Puylaert; M G J de Boer; B R Klarenbeek; J A Otte; R J F Felt; M A Boermeester Journal: Br J Surg Date: 2019-07 Impact factor: 6.939
Authors: Jeancarlos Jhosmer Trujillo Díaz; Beatriz De Andrés Asenjo; María Ruiz Soriano; Carlos Jezieniecki Fernández; Javier Ortiz de Solórzano Aurusa; Juan Pablo Beltrán de Heredia Rentería Journal: Ann Gastroenterol Date: 2019-11-29