Assessing the Role of Follow-Up Investigations After Acute Diverticulitis in Detecting Colorectal Cancer.

Background Diverticula are small, sac-like protrusions that form along the gastrointestinal tract, most often in the sigmoid colon. While some individuals with diverticula remain asymptomatic, some patients experience symptoms, and a minority of patients go on to develop acute diverticulitis. The latter occurs when a fecalith becomes trapped within a diverticulum, leading to colonic wall damage, swelling, bacterial growth, and inflammation. A computed tomography (CT) scan is considered the gold standard imaging technique for diagnosing acute diverticulitis. However, the imaging characteristics of diverticulitis can closely resemble those of colorectal cancer (CRC), potentially obscuring a cancer diagnosis. Aim This audit aims to assess whether patients admitted to Mater Dei Hospital, Malta, who were diagnosed with acute diverticulitis in 2021 and 2022, adhered to the recommendations outlined in the guidelines. Furthermore, the audit will investigate the percentage of these patients who were subsequently diagnosed with CRC following a radiologically confirmed episode of acute diverticulitis. Method All patients with CT-confirmed diverticulitis at Mater Dei Hospital from January 2021 to December 2022 were included in this audit. Data on follow-up investigations-via imaging or endoscopy within one year of hospital presentation-were gathered from radiology reports and endoscopy records. Results were compiled and analysed using Microsoft Excel