Type:
Educational Exhibit
Keywords:
Education, MR, Fluoroscopy, CT, Thorax, Gastrointestinal tract, Abdomen, Education and training, Diverticula
Authors:
R. houshyar1, R. Bennett1, B. F. Yadegari2, M. Helmy3, C. Bennett4; 1Orange/US, 2Orange, California/US, 3Orange, CA/US, 4Chicago/US
DOI:
10.26044/ecr2019/C-1919
Background
Diverticula are congenital or acquired outpouchings of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract,
normally occurring at points of weakness in the wall of the alimentary canal secondary to traction (pulling) or pulsion (increased intraluminal pressure) forces.
Congenital diverticula are true diverticulum,
involving all three layer of the bowel wall: the mucosa,
the smooth muscle,
and the serosa.
Acquired diverticula are characteristically false diverticulum which do not involve all three layer and are usually a mucosal outpouching through a defect in the muscular layer.
While often asymptomatic,
GI diverticula can cause significant morbidity and their complications can be life threatening.
Computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI),
fluoroscopy,
and nuclear scintigraphy each have roles in the diagnosis of GI diverticula; however,
each can have pitfalls depending on the anatomic location of the diverticulum.
It is important for radiologist to be familiar with the spectrum of GI diverticular disease and the diagnostic challenges in order to guide appropriate evaluation and management.