Diverticulitis differential diagnosis

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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Cafer Zorkun, M.D., Ph.D. [2],Seyedmahdi Pahlavani, M.D. [3], Omodamola Aje B.Sc, M.D. [4]

Overview

It is important to differentiate sigmoid diverticulitis from a lot of inflammatory and non-inflammatory diseases of the gastrointestinal tract and the urogenital system. Sigmoid diverticulitis may cause symptoms not only in the left lower quadrant but also in the right lower quadrant (elongated sigmoid loop) and anywhere in the lower abdomen. Right-sided diverticulitis even extends this towards the right upper abdomen.

Differential Diagnosis

The differential diagnosis includes colon cancer, inflammatory bowel disease, ischemic colitis, and irritable bowel syndrome, as well as a number of urological and gynecological processes.

Differential diagnosis of diverticulitis with diseases causing lower abdominal pain and fever

Diseases		Symptoms		Signs			Diagnosis		Comments
		Abdominal pain	Bowel habits	Rebound tenderness	Guarding	Genitourinary signs	Lab findings	Imaging
GI diseases	Diverticulitis	LLQ	Constipation Diarrhea	-	+	+	Leukocytosis	CT scan shows evidence of inflammation
	Appendicitis	LLQ / RRQ	Constipation	+	+	-	Leukocytosis	Ultrasound shows evidence of inflammation	Nausea & vomiting,decreased appetite
	Inflammatory bowel diseases	LLQ	Bloody diarrhea	-	-	-	Elevated WBCs and platelets	CT scan and MRI to differentiate between ulcerative colitis and crohn's disease.	Colonoscopy is recommended.
	Colon carcinoma	LLQ	Constipation	-	-	-	Serum carcino-embryogenic antigen  Low Vit b12 Hypercalcemia	CT scan, x ray and MRI used to show metastasis
	Strangulated hernia	LLQ	-	-	-	-	No specific tests	CT scan used to detect the hernia and to show if it is single or multiple
Gentiourinary	Cystitis	LLQ	-	+	-	+ Suprapubic tenderness Urethral discharge	Pyuria Presence of nitrites and leukocyte estrase	X ray is done to probe the suspicion of emphysematous cystitis. CT scan shows gas in the bladder in cases of emphysematous cystitis.
	Prostatitis	LLQ Groin pain	-	-	-	+ Tender and enlarged	Serum PSA elevated Leukocytosis Elevated CRP	CT scan shows edema and enlarged prostate Abscess may be observed
	Pelvic inflammatory disease	LLQ - Bilateral	-	+	-	+ Purulent vaginal discharge	No specific tests for PID	Transvaginal utrasonography
Gynecological	Endometritis	LLQ	-	+	-	+	No specific tests	CT scan to exclude masses or thrombosis	Vaginal discharge Vaginal bleeding
	Salpingitis	LLQ/ RLQ		+/-	+/-		Leukocytosis	Pelvic ultrasound	Vaginal discharge

Differential diagnosis of diverticulitis with diseases causing peritonitis

Classification of acute abdomen based on etiology Presentation Symptoms Signs Diagnosis Comments Fever Abdominal Pain Jaundice Guarding Rebound Tenderness Bowel sounds Lab Findings Imaging Common causes of Peritonitis Primary Peritonitis Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis + Diffuse - - - Hypoactive Ascitic fluid PMN>250 cells/mm³ Culture: Positive for single organism Ultrasound for evaluation of liver cirrhosis - Secondary Peritonitis Perforated gastric and duodenal ulcer + Diffuse - + + N Ascitic fluid LDH > serum LDH Glucose < 50mg/dl Total protein > 1g/dl Air under diaphragm in upright CXR Upper GI endoscopy for diagnosis Acute cholangitis + RUQ + - - N Abnormal LFT Ultrasound shows biliary dilatation Biliary drainage (ERCP) + IV antibiotics Acute cholecystitis + RUQ + - - Hypoactive Hyperbilirubinemia Leukocytosis Ultrasound shows gallstone and evidence of inflammation Murphy’s sign Acute pancreatitis + Epigastric +/- - - N Increased amylase / lipase Ultrasound shows evidence of inflammation Pain radiation to back Acute appendicitis + RLQ - + + Hypoactive Leukocytosis Ultrasound shows evidence of inflammation Nausea & vomiting, decreased appetite Acute diverticulitis + LLQ +/- + - Hypoactive Leukocytosis CT scan and ultrasound shows evidence of inflammation Acute salpingitis + LLQ/ RLQ - +/- +/- N Leukocytosis Pelvic ultrasound Vaginal discharge Hollow Viscous Obstruction Small intestine obstruction - Diffuse - + +/- Hyperactive then absent Leukocytosis Abdominal X ray Nausea & vomiting associated with constipation, abdominal distention Volvulus - Diffuse - + - Hypoactive Leukocytosis CT scan and abdominal X ray Nausea & vomiting associated with constipation, abdominal distention Biliary colic - RUQ + - - N Increased bilirubin and alkaline phosphatase Ultrasound Nausea & vomiting Renal colic - Flank pain - - - N Hematuria CT scan and ultrasound Colicky abdominal pain associated with nausea & vomiting Vascular Disorders Ischemic causes Mesenteric ischemia +/- Periumbilical - - - Hyperactive Leukocytosis and lactic acidosis CT scan Nausea & vomiting, normal physical examination Acute ischemic colitis +/- Diffuse - + + Hyperactive then absent Leukocytosis CT scan Nausea & vomiting Hemorrhagic causes Ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm - Diffuse - - - N Normal CT scan Unstable hemodynamics Intra-abdominal or retroperitoneal hemorrhage - Diffuse - - - N Anemia CT scan History of trauma Gynaecological Causes Ovarian Cyst Complications Torsion of the cyst - RLQ / LLQ - +/- +/- N Increased ESR and CRP Ultrasound Sudden onset sever pain with nausea and vomiting Cyst rupture - RLQ / LLQ - +/- +/- N Increased ESR and CRP Ultrasound Sudden onset sever pain with nausea and vomiting Pregnancy Ruptured ectopic pregnancy - RLQ / LLQ - - - N Positive pregnancy test Ultrasound History of missed period and vaginal bleeding References