Diverticular disease in young adults.

Acute diverticulitis of the colon should be considered in the differential diagnosis in young adult (younger than 40 years) patients with pain and tenderness in the lower abdomen. Among young adults, men are afflicted more commonly than women and the disease runs a more virulent course. Complications are commonly encountered, and the key to diagnosis is a high index of suspicion. Barium enema examination without bowel preparation is useful and safe in this age group. In patients with acute diverticulitis with perforation and abscess, the most appropriate therapy is surgical, as demonstrated in the three cases reported here.