Last reviewed dd mmm yyyy. Last edited dd mmm yyyy
Symptoms and signs of acute diverticulitis
Suspect acute diverticulitis if a person presents with constant abdominal pain, usually severe and localising in the left lower quadrant, with any of the
following:
Symptoms and signs of complicated acute diverticulitis
Suspect complicated acute diverticulitis and refer for same-day hospital assessment if the person has uncontrolled abdominal pain and any of the
features in table below.
Symptom or sign | Possible Complication |
Abdominal mass on examination or peri-rectal fullness on digital rectal examination | Intra-abdominal |
Abdominal rigidity and guarding on examination | Bowel perforation |
Altered mental state, raised respiratory rate, low systolic blood pressure, raised heart rate, low tympanic temperature, no urine output or skin | Sepsis |
Faecaluria, pneumaturia, pyuria or the passage of faeces through the vagina | Fistula into the |
Colicky abdominal pain, absolute constipation (passage of no flatus or stool), vomiting or abdominal distention | Intestinal obstruction |
Notes:
Reference:
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