Treating patients with abdominal symptoms secondary to colonic diverticula is daily practice for general practitioners, gastroenterologists, surgeons and other physicians. At first sight, diagnosis and therapy seem to be straightforward. Nevertheless, discussions on details concerning understanding and management of this disorder often reveal differing views and immediately demonstrate that many questions remain unresolved.

An approach to diverticular disease that is generally accepted is lacking. One reason may be that there is a certain paucity of scientific discussion. In contrast to other topics, diverticular disease is rarely found on the agenda of meetings and symposia.

The book, the proceedings of Falk Symposium 148 on Diverticular Disease: Emerging Evidence in a Common Condition, held in Munich, Germany, on 1718 June 2005, covers many aspects of diverticular disease, from new scientific knowledge to exchange of clinical experience, and will provide much-needed information to basic scientists and clinicians alike.

Interdisciplinary symposium bringing together basic science and clinical applications Up-to-date research findings at the highest scientific level

Inhalt
Pathogenesis of diverticular disease.- Patterns of colonic mucosal inflammation in diverticular disease.- Pathogenesis of diverticular disease: enteric neuropathy.- Pathogenesis of diverticular disease: altered motility.- Pathogenesis of diverticular disease: genetic disposition versus the environment.- Clinical issues.- Diverticular disease differential diagnosis and prognosis.- Diagnosis I.- Diagnosis of diverticular disease in primary care.- Laboratory tests what do they tell us?.- Lower gastrointestinal bleeding search for sources.- Diagnosis II.- Intestinal comorbidity: diverticular disease and chronic inflammatory bowel disease.- Indications and controversies in imaging techniques.- Colonoscopy in acute diverticulitis.- Sonography in diverticular disease.- Diverticular disease: abdominal radiography, contrast enema, computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging.- Determinants of treatment.- Natural course of diverticular disease.- Pain in diverticular diseases.- Determinants of treatment: extraintestinal comorbidity.- Determinants of treatment: outcome measures, or how to read studies on diverticulitis.- Surgery.- Extent of sigmoid resection in diverticular disease of the colon.- Surgery for diverticular disease: pro laparoscopy.- Medical treatment.- Medical management of diverticular disease: the role of bulking agents.- Antibiotics in the treatment of diverticular disease of the colon.- Aminosalicylates.- Treatment miscellaneous.- Diverticular disease: persistent symptoms after surgery.- Primary and secondary prevention of diverticular disease.- The right time for medical or surgical treatment.