[Diverticulosis of the sigmoid colon from the radiological point of view (author's transl)].

Diverticulosis is one of the most common diseases of the colon. Its importance arises from complications. In countries of the Western hemisphere the incidence is 10-20% beyond the age of 50. Among the natives of Africa and South-Eastern Asia it is practically unknown. It is suggested that the disease is caused by low residue diet, modern living conditions. and constitutional disorders. 500 barium enemas revealed 13,4% patients with diverticula including a 5-year-old child and a 32-year-old woman. The incidence of diverticulosis among patients over 40 years of age is 19,6%. The sex distribution is 1 : 1,9 male to female. The complications are demonstrated by case histories: Diverticulitis with ileus, foreign body trap, sub-acute perforation, sigmoid-vaginal fistula, sigmoid-bladder fistula, sigmoid-uterus fistula in a 5-year-old girl.