Diverticular Disease & Diverticulitis

Attacks, CT diagnosis, antibiotics, and elective resection

Elective surgery is not automatic after “the third attack.”

Diverticulosis is common with aging; diverticulitis is inflammation of a diverticulum. CT guides severity and separates mild from complicated disease (abscess, perforation, fistula, obstruction). Uncomplicated mild attacks may not need automatic antibiotics in selected patients. Elective resection is driven by complications, quality of life, immunosuppression, and preference — not attack count alone. Colonoscopy timing after inflammation depends on whether a recent high-quality exam already exists. Emergency surgery remains necessary for selected free perforations and unstable patients.