Diverticulitis and ulcerative colitis

Abstract

Abstract The association of diverticulitis and acute ulcerative colitis is uncommon but carries a high mortality. Four cases are described with diverticular disease who developed fulminating ulcerative colitis. The double diagnosis was not initially recognized in any of these cases and in 2 the diagnosis of ulcerative colitis was only made at laparotomy. Three of the 4 patients died following surgical treatment and the difficulties of their diagnosis and management are discussed. It is suggested that sigmoidoscopic examination before emergency bowel surgery is important.