[Right-sided diverticulitis: new diagnostic and therapeutic aspects].

: Because of its rarity in the Western World, diverticulitis of the ascending colon is often not taken into account in the differential diagnosis of abdominal pain in the right lower quadrant or is misdiagnosed as appendicitis. Of five patients who were treated for right-side diverticulitis in our hospital between April 1995 and April 1996, one underwent right hemicolectomy and one laparoscopic diverticulectomy. In three cases we succeeded with antibiotics alone. In three cases the diagnosis was made on the basis of CT-scan, prompted by peridiverticular changes. In one case the diagnosis was made at laparoscopy and confirmed by CT. In one case diagnosis and therapy were carried out only by laparoscopy. From the moment of diagnosis the average stay in hospital was twelve days and no complications occurred. During an average follow-up time of twelve months, all patients remained free of pain. On the basis of the case reports and a literature review we discuss the diagnostic value of CT and laparoscopy as well as the benefit of conservative therapy, which to us--in contrast to other authors--seems appropriate at least for the first bout of uncomplicated diverticulitis.