The Endoscopy Archives

Our Webcam showing the Water Tower of Vasa, Finland

Back to the Main Page

Diverticular Disease of the Sigmoid Colon

Click on the picture to get a magnification
Diverticulas in the sigmoid colon

High resolution image: Sigmoid diverticulosis

Diverticulum in the Sigmoid Colon

These pictures show close ups of a diverticulas in the sigmoid colon. A diverticulum is a herniation of the bowel mucosa through the muscular wall.

Another close up of sigmoid diverticulas

Two diverticulas

This is a very common finding in the sigmoid colon - diverticulas can be found also in other part of the colon. About every 3rd of our retired people have diverticulas, many do not have any symtoms of there diverticular disease.

Small diverticulas

Diverticular disease is more often found in females, and nearly one of two females can be found to have diverticular disease. The disease is rare in developing countries.

X-ray-finding of one diverticulum

One diverticulum, here in the descending colon, is quite an innocent finding.

Diverticular disease, x-ray findings

This is a very typical x-ray finding in advanced diverticular disease. The patient may not have any symtoms at all. If symtoms are present, they usually consist of pain in the left iliac fossa, obstipation, meteorism - and relief after defekation.

Click on an image to get a magnification!

Diverticular disease, x-ray findings

Diverticular disease can cause complications: a diverticulum can bleed, causing sudden gastrointestinal bleeding, it can cause inflammation ("diverticulitis"), it can perforate (very seldom, but the patient might then get peritonitis) and it can cause a stenosis of the sigmoid colon. Taking into account, how common this disease is, complications are rare.

Diverticular disease, x-ray findings

Advanced diverticular disease in the sigmoid colon, with hundreds of diverticuluma

Diverticular disease, x-ray findings

This is a another typical x-ray finding in advanced diverticular disease. The patient may not have any symtoms at all. If symtoms are present, they usually consist of pain in the left iliac fossa, obstipation, meteorism - and relief after defekation.

Click on an image to get a magnification!

Diverticular disease, granulomatous scars

Lesions like these, inflammatory polyps with a granulomatous appearence histologically, sometimes are the result of a diverticulitis. They are quite innocent and do not require any treatment, however a colonoscopy is needed, as they look like adenomas in x-ray.

High resolution image: Sigmoid diverticulosis in it´s very early stage

Here are some excellent books if You want to know more about this topic:

Diverticulosis - endoscopic and xray-findings:

Endoscopy Slide Show:
Diverticulosis - endoscopic and xray-findings:

Click on this image to start the slide show!

The Best Image Library in the World!

That is what we would like Gastrolab Image Library and Endoscopic Archives to be.
Perhaps We can achieve this together? Many of You have ecxellent endoscopic images just waiting for publication. When published they can be an invaluable resource for young endoscopists and for gastroenterologic education. Images published here can freely be used for noncommercial purposes.
So, please email Your images here
glabinfo@gmail.com together with a short caption, a notice that our site is permitted to publish them and information if You want a copyright sign © together with You email address (in which case possible commercial publishers can contact You to get permission to publish Your images).

Together we can make the best and most complete Image Library in the World!