Intramural diverticulosis and diverticulitis of the colon: Pictorial essay.

Diverticulosis of the colon is a gradually progressive disease that usually starts in early adulthood and increases with advancing age in its anatomical extent and the size of diverticula. It is important to recognize the initial stages of diverticular development in young patients in order to properly diagnose and manage the potential complications of this very common intestinal disorder. This article presents the pathological and radiological features of early diverticular formation, when the mucosal outpouchings are very small and contained within the colonic wall as distinct intramural lesions. The subsequent development of intramural diverticulitis and the spectrum of its manifestations on barium enema examination or Computed tomography (CT) are illustrated.