title: Review of current classifications for diverticular disease and a translation into clinical practice.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Diverticular disease of the sigmoid colon prevails in Western society. Its presentation may vary greatly per individual patient, from symptomatic diverticulosis to perforated diverticulitis. Since publication of the original Hinchey classification, several modifications and new grading systems have been developed. Yet, new insights in the natural history of the disease, the emergence of the computed tomography scan, and new treatment modalities plead for evolving classifications.
  
  
  METHODS
  This article reviews all current classifications for diverticular disease.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A three-stage model is advanced for a renewed and comprehensive classification system for diverticular disease, incorporating up-to-date imaging and treatment modalities.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, VU University Medical Center, Postbus 7057, 1007 MB, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. br.klarenbeek@vumc.nl
authors.forename: Bastiaan R
authors.initials: BR
authors.lastname: Klarenbeek
authors.forename: Niels
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: de Korte
authors.forename: Donald L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: van der Peet
authors.forename: Miguel A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Cuesta
mesh_terms: D004238:Diverticulitis / Q000145:classification* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D057170:Translational Research, Biomedical