[Acute diverticulitis--radiological and endoscopic studies].

In patients with suspected acute diverticulitis, plain abdominal radiographs may demonstrate free gas in the abdomen. Ultrasound can indicate the nature of disease but is not sufficient to assess the extent of the inflammation. If perforation is suspected, a water-soluble contrast agent should be used to demonstrate diverticulitis and peridiverticular abscess. Computed tomography is ideally suited for the evaluation of the disease. it permits the radiologist to tell the clinician the exact extent of the extramucosal inflammation and the involvement of adjacent organs and structures.