Diverticular Disease

Craig A. Reickert, MD, FACS, FASCRS

This issue of Clinics in Colon and Rectal Surgery will review diverticular disease. This ubiquitous clinical entity is a source of common clinical concern and an important source of patient evaluation and morbidity. The authors have attempted to review the current information related to epidemiology, evaluation, and medical and surgical management.

Dr. Munie and Dr. Nalamati have reviewed current epidemiologic data and the current state of the understanding of the pathophysiology. Dr. Knott and I discuss some of the current medical management strategies for diverticular disease. To review the current options in radiologic assessment, Dr. Kandagatla and Dr. Stefanou have summarized the current literature. Dr. Kucejko and Dr. Poggio present an excellent discussion of the contemporary understanding of diverticular colitis. Dr. Ghalyaie discusses the complex decisions around treating diverticular disease in the setting of other colorectal pathology. Emergency medical and surgical options for diverticulitis are discussed by Dr. Theodoropolous. Dr. Neale adds discussions of current surgical management of diverticular disease in an elective setting. Dr. Ilyas and Dr. Szilagy discuss the management of diverticular bleeding. Dr. Lin and Dr. Raman present a thorough update of the data on outcomes and the quality of life after treatment for diverticular disease. Finally, Dr. Mohanty and Dr. Webb discuss the unusual variants of colon diverticular disease and their management.

It was my pleasure to review these topics, and I want to thank the contributing authors for their diligent preparation of these articles for your information, education, and enjoyment.