title: Chronic diverticulitis vs. colorectal cancer: findings on CT colonography.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this update article is to evaluate findings on CT colonography in patients with chronic diverticulitis and to compare the findings in patients with colorectal carcinoma.
  
  
  METHODS
  Different morphological criteria retrieved from a literature review were retrospectively analyzed in a series of 13 patients with proven chronic diverticulitis. The findings were compared with a series of 10 patients with colorectal carcinoma.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Overall, the findings in chronic diverticulitis resemble the findings in acute diverticulitis. The advantage of virtual CT colonography in differentiating both entities relies in the combination of morphological features previously described on axial computed tomography and double contrast barium enema. The single strongest morphological feature pointing towards the diagnosis of chronic diverticulitis is the presence of diverticula in the affected segment. In the presence of diverticula in the affected segment, a long segment (≥10 cm), thick fascia sign without adenopathies, mild bowel wall thickening, tapered margins, and distorted but preserved mucosal folds are likely to further improve accuracy of diagnosing chronic diverticulitis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The single strongest morphological sign to differentiate chronic diverticulitis from colorectal cancer is the presence of diverticula in the affected segment.
authors.affiliation: Virtual Colonoscopy Teaching Centre, Akkerstraat 32 c, 8830 Hooglede, Belgium. stefaan.gryspeerdt@skynet.be
authors.forename: Stefaan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gryspeerdt
authors.forename: Philippe
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Lefere
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D002908:Chronic Disease; D023881:Colonography, Computed Tomographic; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004239:Diverticulitis, Colonic / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006801:Humans; D012008:Recurrence; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity