Images in Clinical Medicine
Kim Eagle, M.D., Editor
Giant Colonic Diverticulum
N Engl J Med 1995; 333:228July 27, 1995
- Article
Figure 1 A 70-year-old woman had a six-month history suggestive of recurrent, self-limited episodes of acute diverticulitis. A scout film for a barium enema showed a rounded, smooth-walled structure measuring 10 cm in diameter and containing air (Panel A). The barium enema showed entry of contrast medium into the structure (Panel B). Puddling and the even distribution of barium within the structure in all positions suggested that this was most likely a large sigmoid diverticulum. Surgery was scheduled, but before the scheduled date the patient presented with an acute abdomen. A plain film showed that the diverticulum had enlarged to 17.5 cm at its greatest dimension (Panel C). No evidence of perforation was found at laparotomy, and the patient underwent resection and anastomosis with an uneventful recovery. The specimen measured 12.5 by 8.5 by 8 cm (Panel D).
Kim Eagle, M.D.
Peggy Ueda, M.D.
Deborah Hall, M.D.
Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114- Citing Articles (2)
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