Role of CT in diagnosis and management of complications of diverticular disease.

The clinical complications of diverticular disease may be unclear. Seven patients with complicated diverticulitis of the transverse, descending, and sigmoid colon were examined with computed tomography. Exact knowledge of the anatomical relationships of the transverse, descending, and sigmoid colon and neighboring structures are a prerequisite for understanding and interpreting the extensions of peridiverticular disease. Computed tomography proved to be useful in evaluating the presence and extent of sequelae of perforations, and, as a consequence, influenced the planning and timing of treatment.