Prevalence of asymptomatic colonic diverticula in Chilean population as an imaging finding in abdominal and pelvic tomography

Abstract

Introduction: Asymptomatic colonic diverticular prevalence varies in the general population between 20 and 60% in international references, however, we couldn`t find statistics about it in national reports. A method for detection of this nosological entity is the abdomen and pelvis computed tomography.

Aim: Determine the prevalence of asymptomatic colonic diverticulosis in the general population as a find in abdomen and pelvis computed tomography (TCAP).

Materials and Method: Cross-sectional study with descriptive statistics, selecting patients with no history of diverticulosis, who underwent TCAP in our Hospital. 1,449 cases are reviewed and 1,177 are included.

Results: The general prevalence of colonic diverticula was 28.3%. Their presence increases with age, being close to 60% in > 80 years. Almost 90% are located in the left colon, being more frequent the right side diverticulosis in population under 60 years.

Conclusions: The overall prevalence of asymptomatic colonic diverticulosis, detected as a finding in TCAP, corresponds to about one third of patients.