Acute Diverticulitis: Two New Guidelines

Background

The ACP has published two new clinical guidelines on diverticulitis. One addresses diagnosis and management, and the other addresses colonoscopy after episodes of diverticulitis and interventions to prevention recurrence. The guidelines refer exclusively to acute left-sided diverticulitis.

Key Recommendations

• Computed tomography (CT) is recommended for patients with suspected diverticulitis “when there is diagnostic uncertainty,” but the authors don't explain fully what should count as diagnostic certainty.

• Immunocompetent, relatively healthy patients with uncomplicated diverticulitis who have no evidence of systemic inflammatory response can be managed as outpatients. Acco…