Giant sigmoid diverticula. Report of two cases.

Two patients with giant sigmoid diverticula, an unusual complication of diverticulitis, had histories of progressive abdominal discomfort and the presence of an enlarging abdominal mass. Plain abdominal roentgenograms with confirmatory contrast studies established the diagnosis. The debilitated condition of the patients at the time of surgery points to the need for operative intervention earlier in the clinical course. Extensive adhesions made surgical dissection difficult in one case and precluded sigmoid resection and diversion in the other.