If diverticulitis is suspected, the best test is a computed tomography, or CT, scan of the abdomen and pelvis with oral and intravenous (IV) contrast.

In older patients who complain of fever and lower abdominal pain, consider diverticulitis, especially if the patient has a previous diagnosis of diverticulosis.

An 8-year study found an increased incidence of diverticulitis in EDs in the United States, along with increased CT usage, fewer admissions, and a shift to penicillin-based antibiotics for treatment.

The most common symptom of diverticulitis is a sharp cramp-like pain, usually on the left side of your lower abdomen. There are other symptoms too, some mild, some severe.

"I'd just read about how abdominal CTs are one of the highest-risk tests [in terms of radiation exposure] and should not be repeated unless there was a major change," said Hanvik, who lives in ...

Like X-rays and PET scans, CT scans use ionizing radiation, which can damage DNA and cause cancer.

Distinguishing between appendix cancer and diverticulitis based solely on symptoms is challenging—even for seasoned physicians—due to the significant overlap in abdominal discomfort, bowel ...

Diverticulitis causes more severe symptoms, including any of the following, but particularly the first two: Steady abdominal pain Tenderness to pressure in the lower abdomen Fever Nausea Vomiting ...

The most common tests used to diagnose diverticulitis are CT scan, abdominal X-ray, colonoscopy, ultrasound and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI).

Abdominal complaints are a primary reason for emergency department visits, but the use of CT scans to facilitate diagnosis may reduce hospitalizations, a Massachusetts General Hospital study shows.