[Which imaging in case of sigmoid diverticulitis? The value of ultrasound (Conventional B-mode in combination with hydrocolonsonography and colour flow Doppler) in comparison to the well-established modalities like contrast enema and helical computertomography].

Sigmoid diverticulitis is in case of complications like perforation, abscess and peritonitis a life-threatening disease. A diagnostic work up with high sensitivity is mandatory. In a prospective study upon 247 patients with the possible diagnosis of acute diverticulitis ultrasound is a screening method with a high specificity (97 %) and leads in combination with the hydrocolonsonography and the colour flow doppler to a high sensitivity (76 %). Without any typical findings in ultrasound, helical CT scan is the best method in the evaluation of the acute diverticulitis (sensitivity and specificity 100 %), because contrast enema is inferior to CT in the evaluation of abscesses (6 %) and perforation (53 %). CT has in case of perforation and of abscesses a sensitivity of 90 % and 100 %, while ultrasound has a sensitivity of 12 % to perforation and of 39 % to abscesses.