Colonic diverticulitis in patients under age 40: Need for earlier diagnosis

Despite a clinical presentation and physical findings consistent with diverticulitis, this diagnosis was considered only in one third of 37 patients under age 40. Barium enema was particularly valuable and presented no risk to the patients with an incorrect diagnosis of acute appendicitis. In the medically treated group, 7 of 17 patients required subsequent operation. Those who had emergency surgery had a high wound infection rate. The need to consider the diagnosis in patients under age 40 years is stressed.