Diverticular Colitis (6 of 7)

Diverticulitis in the right colon or in a redundant sigmoid colon may be mistaken for acute appendicitis. Diverticulitis in the transverse colon may mimic peptic ulcer disease, pancreatitis, or cholecystitis. Retroperitoneal involvement may present similar to renal disease. In women, lower quadrant pain may be difficult to distinguish from a gynecological process. Mild diverticulitis presents with localized abdominal pain, commonly left lower quadrant pain. Pain is often described as crampy and may be associated with a change in bowel habits. A microperforation, most likely walled-off by adjacent structures, may present with no systemic signs of illness or infection.