Diagnosis

Colonoscopy is often used to diagnose diverticulosis; however, it should not be used when the patient is suffering from diverticulitis.

The following tests are used to diagnose diverticular disease

Colonoscopy: Colonoscopy is a procedure wherein a tube is introduced through the anus and the inner lining of the intestines is visualized. Colonoscopy should not be done in cases of diverticulitis. Endoscopy may be performed in small bowel disease
Mesenteric angiography: In mesenteric angiography, a dye is introduced into the blood, and the flow in the intestinal arteries is studied. Using this procedure, the bleeding point is identified and can be treated
CT scan: Diverticulitis is diagnosed with the help of CT scan of the abdomen.
Blood tests: Blood tests may show an increase in the number of white blood cells in a patient suffering from diverticulitis

Published on Mar 16, 2011
Last Updated on Apr 07, 2016

trav309 Sunday, August 4, 2019

I have been on antibiotic since June 2018 every other week for my diverticulotis . I notice if Im not on them my stomach is bad. Is surgery the only answer to remove part of the colon? They said its a hard surgery to recover from and I dont want to chance of having a colostomy. Anybody else in this situation? .