J Korean Pediatr Soc.  2003 Nov;46(11):1095-1100.

A Clinical Study of Acute Colonic Diverticulitis in Children

• Sim JH
• Song KH
• Sim YJ
• Cho DJ
• Kim DH
• Min KS
• Yoo KY
• Lee HR
• Lee KS

Abstract

PURPOSE
Children with acute colonic diverticulitis(ACD), can be misdiagnosed with acute appendicitis.
METHODS
We reviewed 15 cases of ACD during five years, from January 1998 to June 2002 retro spectively.
RESULTS
Most patients(80%) with ACD in children presented with right lower quadrant pain. The primary diagnosis on admission was mostly acute appendicitis(87%), and all ACD in children occurred in the right colon. Fourteen patients were managed by conservative treatment including antibiotics. A follow-up study was performed in 15 patients. There were symptomatic recurrences in two patients, but no significant complication was noted. The frequency of ACD was 11.7 per 1000 acute appendicitis.
CONCLUSION
ACD in children can mostly be cured by conservative treatment. It is prudent to choose the management through the diagnostic work up, including abdominal sonography and computed tomography, because there was no significant difference of clinical findings between ACD and acute appendicitis.

Keyword

Diverticulitis; Colon; Appendicitis; Child

MeSH Terms

Anti-Bacterial Agents
Appendicitis
Child*
Colon*
Diagnosis
Diverticulitis
Diverticulitis, Colonic*
Follow-Up Studies
Humans
Recurrence
Anti-Bacterial Agents