1) Review of imaging findings of common and uncommon complications of acute diverticulitis 2) Review and comparison of acute diverticulitis imaging scoring systems

Diverticulitis is a common clinical condition particularly prevalent in western societies and in older populations with a reported prevalence of 10% in adults under 40 years and up to 70% in those 80 years and older [1] Whilst it remains predominantly a clinical diagnosis, imaging plays an important role in determining disease severity, complications and predicting clinical outcomes Computed tomography imaging can assist in streamlining patient management and a number of proposed imaging scoring systems exist which aim to predict prognosis and best treatment These...

Key imaging findings in diverticulitis 1. Uncomplicated diverticulitis [Fig 1] 2 . Common complications: local perforation [Fig 2] fluid collection [Fig 3] 3. Uncommon complications: diffuse free abdominal fluid fistula formation [Fig 4] Imaging scoring systems A number of different scoring algorithms have been proposed with some of the most recently published including the modified Hinchey, modified Neff, World Society of Emergency Surgery (WSES) and modified Siewert scoring systems. [2-5] Hinchey classification The Hinchey classification, originally a surgical classification system, was first described in 1978...

Acute diverticulitis imaging scoring systems are important in both the diagnosis and staging of complicated diverticulitis and form an important part of the management process of this condition. They provide radiologists with a structured approach to identifying and describing potential complications of acute diverticulitis, an efficient means of communicating with clinicians and provide important prognostic information to guide patient management. It is important to note however that the different radiological scores for complicated diverticulitis may serve to guide management but should be incorporated into the...

[1] Jacobs DO. Diverticulitis. N Engl J Med. 2007 Nov 15;357(20):2057-2066. [2] Bates DDB, Fernandez MB, Ponchiardi C et al. Surgical management in acute diverticulitis and its association with multi-detector CT, modified Hinchey classification, and clinical parameters. Abdominal Radiology. 2018; 43(8):2060-2065. [3] Mora Lopez L, Serra Pla S, Serra-Aracil X, Ballesteros E, Navarro S. Application of a modified Neff classification to patients with uncomplicated diverticulitis. Colorectal Disease. 2013; 15(11):1442-1447. [4] Sartelli M, Moore FA, Ansaloni L, Di Saverio S et al. A proposal for a...