Colonic diverticular abscess presenting as chronic diarrhea: a case report.

BACKGROUND

Several complications have been reported with diverticular disease of colon. Perforation of the diverticulum of colon may lead to development of abdominal abscesses which can have diverse manifestations.

METHODS

This report describes a 72 year-old woman presented with a one month history of non-bloody diarrhea, abdominal pain, and low grade fever. Computed tomography scan confirmed presence of a large local air-fluid level within the culdesac area. Laparotomy revealed a large pelvic abscess which was surrounded between rectosigmoid and uterus with severe tissue necrosis of rectosigmoid colon and uterus.

CONCLUSIONS

Although rarely reported, abdominal abscesses due to colonic diverticulitis may present as refractory chronic diarrhea.