title: [Inverted colonic diverticula: an uncommon endoscopic finding].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The appearance of inverted colonic diverticula (ICD) is similar to that of elevated polypoid lesions. The aim of this study was to describe the endoscopic characteristics of ICD with a view to avoiding misdiagnosis, and to report the frequency of these lesions.
  
  
  METHODS
  Using an endoscopic database, we retrospectively analyzed all patients who underwent colonoscopy at our institution between July 2001 and July 2004. Patients diagnosed with ICD were identified and both patient and ICD characteristics were recorded, including location, endoscopic characteristics, and the presence of synchronous colon polyps.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Among the 4508 colonoscopies performed in the selected period, 33 patients (0.7%) were diagnosed with ICD. The mean age was 62.3 years, with a male-to-female ratio of 1:1.2. Most ICD (89%) were in an area of multiple colonic diverticula and 75% were located in the sigmoid colon. One patient had active bleeding directly from the inverted diverticulum and was treated with injection therapy. The endoscopic characteristics of ICDs were described. There were no complications in this series.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  ICD is a rare endoscopic finding that can be complicated by local bleeding. Misdiagnosis can be dangerous and biopsy or endoscopic resection could lead to serious complications. The endoscopic criteria described should be considered to avoid the complications associated with biopsy or resection.
authors.affiliation: The Latin American OMGE/OMED Gastrointestinal Endoscopy Training Center, Clínica Alemana, Universidad del Desarrollo, Santiago de Chile, Chile. rsaenz@alemana.cl
authors.forename: Roque
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Sáenz
authors.forename: Timothy P
authors.initials: TP
authors.lastname: Kinney
authors.forename: Ricardo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Santander
authors.forename: Raúl
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Yazigi
authors.forename: Claudio
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Navarrete
authors.forename: Jaquelina
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Gobelet
authors.forename: Jerome
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Waye
mesh_terms: D003113:Colonoscopy; D004241:Diverticulum, Colon / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies