1. ¹Section of Digestive Diseases, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT
2. ²Department of Surgery, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT

Correspondence: Martin H Floch, MD, MACG, Digestive Disease Center, Yale University School of Medicine, 40 Temple Street-1A, New Haven, CT 06510.

Received 5 December 2007; Accepted 16 January 2008.

Abstract

Diverticular disease is one of the most prevalent medical conditions to affect Western populations. Symptomatic diverticular disease can range from mild, low-level symptomatology similar to that seen in irritable bowel syndrome to acute bouts of diverticulitis complicated by abscess or frank perforation. This review discusses the epidemiology, pathophysiology, clinical presentation, and management of the spectrum of diverticular disease, including mention of recent advances in the treatment of chronic diverticular disease with aminosalicyclates and probiotics.