Review
Copyright ©2008 The WJG Press and Baishideng.
World J Gastroenterol. Dec 21, 2008; 14(47): 7163-7169
Published online Dec 21, 2008. doi: 10.3748/wjg.14.7163
Table 1 Clinical classification of diverticulitis (adapted from Köhler et al[7])
GradeClinical featuresSymptoms
ISymptomatic uncomplicated diseaseFever, abd pain, CT evidence of diverticulitis
IIRecurrent symptomatic diseaseRecurrence of above symptoms
IIIComplicated diseaseGI bleeding
Phlegmon
Abscess
Peforation-purulent/faecal peritonitis
Stricture
Fistula
Obstruction
Table 2 Modified hinchey classification (adapted from Wasvery et al [11,12])
Modified Hinchey classification
0Mild clinical diverticulitis
IaConfined pericolic inflammation-phlegmon
IbConfined pericolic abscess
IIPelvic, intrabdominal or retrocolic abscess
IIIGeneralized purulent peritonitis
IVFaecal peritonitis
FistulaColo-vesical/-vaginal/-enteric/-cutaneous
ObstructionLarge/small bowel obstruction
Table 3 CT staging of diverticulitis (adapted from Ambrosetti et al[19])
Ambrosetti's CT staging of diverticulitis
Moderate diverticulitisSevere diverticulitis
Localised sigmoid wall thickening (5 mm or more)Abscess
Inflammation of pericolic fatExtraluminal air/contrast
Table 4 Results of a retrospective audit from our institution over a five-year period
Series of diverticulitis casen
CT confirmed diverticulitis (n)69
Hinchey type II (n)28
Average size of abscesses (cm)5
Average size of abscess for PCD (cm)7
Rate of surgical intervention (%)46
Table 5 Results showing the total number, numbers drained, age, site and size (average for PCD) of abscesses from studies in literature
NameTotalDrainedMean age yr (/range)Site of abscess
Size for PCD (cm)
ParacolicPelvicOthers
Kumar et al[31]301239155106.5
Stabile et al[26]191963.88928.7
Kaiser et al[11]9916-7425-7.1
Ambrosetti et al[30]731966.94528-6.7
Brandt et al[13]663471---6
Bahadursingh et al[32]251061997-
Siewert et al [33]30454.2---5.9
Neff et al[28]161642-862131  > 5
Alvarez et al[34]59-643722--
Table 6 Results showing the total number, numbers drained, response to conservative treatment and details of emergency/elective/semi-elective surgery from studies in literature
NameTotalDrainedAntibiotics ± PCDSurgery same admissionElective/semi-elective
Kumar et al[31]3012175-
Stabile et al[26]1919-314
Mueller et al[27]24211612
Kaiser et al[11]9916562320
Ambrosetti et al[30]7319301825
Brandt et al[13]6634211528
Siewert et al[33]30417-13
Cinat et al[37]1313-5-
Saini et al[29]178-17
Alvarez[34]59-3326-