Simultaneous occurrence of sigmoid diverticulosis and tumor: differential diagnostic problems
Köves, I.; Vámosi-Nagy, I.; Tóth, L.
Orvosi Hetilap 128(32): 1667-1669
1987
ISSN/ISBN: 0030-6002 PMID: 3614925 Document Number: 297098
The authors compared the clinical data of 123 patients suffering from sigmoid tumor confirmed by operation and histological examination and of 183 patients suffering from diverticulosis. According to their present knowledge the simultaneous occurrence of the two diseases is accidental. With differential diagnosis: cancer is made probable by obstipation (71%), hemorrhage (78%), loss of weight (50%), anemia (41%) and short history of a few months; diverticulosis is referred to by tenderness (93%), recurring pain (71%) subfebrility and fever (65%) overweight (40%) and a history longer than 1 year. According to the diagnostic protocol of the authors sigmoidoscopy has to be made in diverticulosis cases associated with stricture, if the diverticulosis occurs together with polyp, in case of hemorrhage, if irrigoscopy fails to be informative and in every case of malignant processes. If on the basis of the clinical picture, X-ray and endoscopy (biopsy + cytology) the exact differentiation is not possible and the age and condition of the patient allows it surgical exploration may reveal or confirm the exact diagnosis.