Diagnosis of Diverticular Disease
Diagnostic Test list for Diverticular Disease:
The list of medical tests
mentioned in various sources as
used in the diagnosis of Diverticular Disease
includes:
Diverticular Disease Diagnosis: Book Excerpts
Tests and diagnosis discussion for Diverticular Disease:
To diagnose diverticular disease, the doctor asks about medical
history, does a physical exam, and may perform one or more diagnostic
tests. Because most people do not have symptoms, diverticulosis is often
found through tests ordered for another ailment.
|
| The doctor will ask about
medical history. |
When taking a medical history, the doctor may ask about bowel habits,
symptoms, pain, diet, and medications. The physical exam usually involves
a digital rectal exam. To perform this test, the doctor inserts a gloved,
lubricated finger into the rectum to detect tenderness, blockage, or
blood. The doctor may check stool for signs of bleeding and test blood for
signs of infection. The doctor may also order x rays or other tests.
(Source: excerpt from Diverticulosis and Diverticulitis: NIDDK)
Diagnostic Tests for Diverticular Disease: Online Medical Books
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for more information about diagnostis of Diverticular Disease.
Diverticular disease:
Diagnosis
(Professional Guide to Diseases (Eighth Edition))
In many cases, diverticular disease produces no symptoms and is found during an upper GI series performed as part of a differential diagnosis.
CONFIRMING DIAGNOSIS Tests showing diverticular disease include computed tomography (reveals areas of inflammation), colonoscopy, sigmoidos-copy, and barium enema.
Barium-filled diverticula can be single, multiple, or clustered and may have a wide or narrow mouth. Barium outlines — but doesn’t fill — diverticula blocked by impacted feces. In patients with acute diverticulitis, a barium enema may rupture the bowel, so this procedure requires caution. If IBS accompanies diverticular disease, X-rays may reveal colonic spasm.
Biopsy rules out cancer; however, a colonoscopic biopsy isn’t recommended during acute diverticular disease because of the strenuous bowel preparation it requires. Blood studies may show an elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate in diverticulitis, especially if the diverticula are infected.
» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »
Source: Professional Guide to Diseases (Eighth Edition), 2005
Esophageal diverticula:
Diagnosis
(Professional Guide to Diseases (Eighth Edition))
CONFIRMING DIAGNOSIS X-rays taken following a barium swallow usually confirm the diagnosis by showing characteristic outpouching.
Esophagoscopy can rule out another lesion; however, the procedure risks rupturing the diverticulum by passing the scope into it rather than into the lumen of the esophagus, a special danger with Zenker’s diverticulum.
» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »
Source: Professional Guide to Diseases (Eighth Edition), 2005
Diverticular disease:
Diagnosis
(Handbook of Diseases)
Diverticular disease frequently produces no symptoms and is commonly found incidental to an upper GI barium X-ray series. An upper GI series confirms diverticulosis of the esophagus and small bowel. Plain films are usually obtained to look for evidence of free abdominal air, ileus, or small- or large-bowel obstruction.
A barium enema confirms diverticulosis of the large bowel and can also identify a stricture or mass. Barium-filled diverticula can be single, multiple, or clustered like grapes and may have a wide or narrow mouth. Barium outlines, but doesn’t fill, diverticula blocked by impacted feces.
Clinical tip In patients with acute diverticulitis, a barium enema may rupture the bowel; therefore, this procedure, as well as flexible sigmoidoscopy, shouldn’t be performed during the acute stage. A colonoscopic exam can rule out malignancy. A computed tomography scan should be performed 2 to 3 days after initiation of antibiotics to evaluate for abscess.
A biopsy will confirm cancer; however, colonoscopic biopsy isn’t recommended during acute diverticular disease because of the risk of perforation. Blood studies may show an elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate in diverticulitis, especially if the diverticula are infected.
» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »
Source: Handbook of Diseases, 2003
Esophageal diverticula:
Diagnosis
(Handbook of Diseases)
A barium esophagogram usually confirms the diagnosis by showing characteristic outpouching. Esophagoscopy isn’t performed because the scope may be passed into the diverticulum and can cause a rupture.
» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »
Source: Handbook of Diseases, 2003
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