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Diverticular Disease and Hemorrhoids

Center for Cancer Surveillance and Control TeleconferenceMaryland Department of Health & Mental Hygiene

January 21, 2009

Lance T. Uradomo, MD, MPHLance T. Uradomo, MD, MPHAssistant Professor of MedicineAssistant Professor of Medicine

Division of Gastroenterology and HepatologyDivision of Gastroenterology and HepatologyUniversity of Maryland School of MedicineUniversity of Maryland School of Medicine

Director of Endoscopy, Baltimore VA Medical CenterDirector of Endoscopy, Baltimore VA Medical Center

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Outline

• Diverticular Disease– Diverticulosis– Diverticulitis– Diverticular Hemorrhage

• Hemorrhoids– Classification– Therapy

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Anatomy

Stone C. http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/presentations/100158_1.htm

Ascending

Cecum

Descending

Sigmoid

Rectum

Splenic Flexure

Hepatic Flexure

Transverse

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Definitions• Diverticula – an abnormal pouch or sac

opening from a hollow organ (as the colon or bladder)

• Diverticulosis - the presence of diverticula in the colon

• Diverticulitis - inflammation or infection of a diverticulum of the colon

• Diverticular Disease - a disorder characterized by diverticulosis or diverticulitis

2005 Merriam-Webster, Incorporated

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Introduction• Diverticula

form at weak points in the bowel wall

• Often where vasa recta vessels penetrate the muscle layer

• Most common in left colon (70-90%)

Stone C. http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/presentations/100158_1.htm

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Epidemiology• Prevalence of Diverticula

– Age• < 10% in people under 40 year old• 50% to 66% over age 80

– Gender

– Geography• Western countries• Low prevalence in Asia and Africa

Martel J, Raskin J. J Clin Gastroenterol 2008; 42: 1125

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Pathophysiology of Diverticula

• Associations with diets low in dietary fiber and high in refined carbohydrates. – Less bulky stools that retain less water and may

alter gastrointestinal transit time; – Increase intracolonic pressure and make

evacuation of the colonic contents more difficult.

• Other factors:– physical inactivity, constipation, obesity,

smoking, and treatment with nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs.

Jacobs DO, N Engl J Med 2007;357:2057-66

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Symptoms of Diverticulosis

• Most are asymptomatic• Some experience crampy pain or

discomfort in the lower abdomen, bloating, and constipation.

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Acute Diverticulitis

• Most common complication of diverticular disease– 10-25% of patients

Martel J, Raskin J. J Clin Gastroenterol 2008; 42: 1125

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Pathophysiology of Diverticulitis

• Fecalith• Bacterial flora• Micro or

macro perforation

Stone C. http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/presentations/100158_1.htm

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Presentation of Acute Diverticulitis

• Symptoms– Left lower quadrant pain– Fever– Leukocytosis

• Exam– Abdominal tenderness– Mass– High pitched bowel sounds– Rebound

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Diagnostic Tests• Xray – Free air, perforation• CT scan

Jacobs DO, N Engl J Med 2007;357:2057-66

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Diagnostic Tests• Colonoscopy and sigmoidoscopy are

typically avoided when acute diverticulitis is suspected because of the risk of perforation.

• Recommended after approximately 6 weeks, to rule out the presence of other diseases, such as cancer and inflammatory bowel disease.

Jacobs DO, N Engl J Med 2007;357:2057-66

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Treatment of Uncomplicated Acute Diverticulitis

• Antibiotics

Jacobs DO, N Engl J Med 2007;357:2057-66

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Treatment of Uncomplicated Acute Diverticulitis

• Hospitalization– Inability to tolerate oral medications and

liquids– Comorbidities– Pain severe enough to require narcotic

analgesia– Symptoms fail to improve despite

adequate outpatient therapy – Complicated diverticulitis

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Complicated Diverticulitis

• Abscess• Peritonitis• Obstruction• Fistula formation• Hemorrhage

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Treatment of Complicated Diverticulitis

• IV antibiotics• Bowel rest• Analgesia • Percutaneous drainage (CT-guided)• Surgery

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Recurrent Diverticulitis• 25% will have more than one attack of acute

diverticulitis• Parks et al 1969

– Recurrence was more virulent and lead to recommendation for elective resection after the second episode in >50year old and after first episode in younger patients.

• More recent data fails to show worse prognosis in recurrent attacks.

• American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons:– Decision for elective resection is on a case by

case basisSheth et al Am J Gastroenterol 2008; 103: 1550

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Diverticular Hemorrhage

• Rupture of the vasa recta at the dome of a diverticulum

Stone C. http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/presentations/100158_1.htm

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Diverticular Hemorrhage

• Source proximal to the splenic flexure in 60%

• Mean age 66 year old• Most common cause of life

threatening lower GI bleed (3-5% of those with diverticulosis)

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Diverticular Hemorrhage Diagnosis

• History and Physical Exam– Painless, sometimes mild cramps– Hematochezia (red blood per rectum)

• Radionucleotide Imaging– Technetium sulfur colloid. Scans are

obtained shortly after intravenous injection, looking for evidence of extravasation. 0.1 mL/min

– Sensitivity 97%, specificity 83%, and positive predictive value 94%

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Diverticular Hemorrhage Diagnosis

• Colonoscopy– Polyethylene glycol for colon purge

preparation – Sedation– May be therapeutic

http://www.uptodate.com/online/content/images/gast_pix/Bleeding_diverticulum_Endos.jpg

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Diverticular Hemorrhage Diagnosis

• Angiography– Performed by Interventional Radiologist– Bleeding at a rate on 0.5 – 1mL / min– May be therapeutic

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Therapy for Diverticular Hemorrhage

• Spontaneous resolution in 90%

• Colonoscopy: Study found 0% versus 53% rebleeding in colonoscopy vs. medical treatment– Epinepherine– Cautery– Clips

Jensen DM et alN Engl J Med 2000 Jan 13;342(2):78-82Browder W. Ann Surg 1986 Nov;204(5):530-6

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Therapy for Diverticular Hemorrhage

• Angiography– No purge required– Vasopressin infusion

• 91% stop bleeding, but 50% rebleed on cessation of vasopressin

• Transcatheter embolization is more definitive, but is associated with a up to 20% risk of intestinal infarction.

Jensen DM et alN Engl J Med 2000 Jan 13;342(2):78-82Browder W. Ann Surg 1986 Nov;204(5):530-6

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Surgery for Diverticular Hemorrhage

• Frequency of surgery among patients with severe or massive rectal bleeding from 24 to 78%.– 18 – 25% of those requiring transfusions

• Persistent instability despite aggressive resuscitation demands operative intervention and is necessary

Summarized in Young-Fadok T, et al. Colonic diverticular bleeding. Uptodate.com

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Surgery for Diverticular Hemorrhage

• Surgical mortality is approximately 10%

• Exploratory laparotomy identifies a source in 78 percent of patients without a preoperative diagnosis

Summarized in Young-Fadok T, et al. Colonic diverticular bleeding. Uptodate.com

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Surgery for Diverticular Hemorrhage

• Segmental colectomy – Source of bleeding has been localized– Rebleeding in 0 to 14%

• Subtotal colectomy – Patient continues to bleed without an identified site

of bleeding– Morbidity 37% – Mortality rates 11 – 33%

• Blind segmental resection is contraindicated– Rebleeding rate 42%– Morbidity 83%– Mortality 57 %

Summarized in Young-Fadok T, et al. Colonic diverticular bleeding. Uptodate.com

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Recurrence of Diverticular Hemorrhage

• 1 year 9%• 2 year 10%• 3 year 19%• 4 year 25%

Longstreth. Am J Gastroenterol 1997; 92: 419Longstreth. Am J Gastroenterol 1997; 92: 419

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Hemorrhoids

Bleday R. Treatment of hemorrhoids. Uptodate.com

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Hemorrhoids• Arise from a plexus of

dilated veins arising from the superior and inferior hemorrhoidal veins.

• Submucosal layer in the lower rectum

• External or internal: below or above the dentate line.

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Classification• Grade I: May bulge into the lumen but do

not extend below the dentate line. • Grade II: Prolapse out of the anal canal with

defecation or with straining but reduce spontaneously.

• Grade III: Prolapse out of the anal canal with defecation or straining, and require the patient to reduce them into their normal position.

• Grade IV: Irreducible and may strangulate.

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Bleeding

• Painless bleeding usually associated with a bowel movement.

• Bright red blood coats the stool at the end of defecation.

• Blood may drip into the toilet or stain toilet paper. • Chronic blood losses from hemorrhages can be

substantial enough to induce iron deficiency anemia. • Bleeding should be investigated:

– Flexible sigmoidoscopy or anoscopy in low-risk younger patients

– Colonoscopy

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Pruritus

• Irritation or itching of perianal skin • Some patients also complain of mild

incontinence or wetness.

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Pain• Thrombosis, which can occur in both internal

and external hemorrhoids. Thrombosis of external hemorrhoids may be associated with excruciating pain.

• Easily visible, purple, elliptical mass

extending from the anal to the perianal skin.

• Thrombosed internal hemorrhoids may also cause pain, but to a lesser degree than external hemorrhoids. An exception is when internal hemorrhoids strangulate

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Therapy:American Society of Colon and Rectal

Surgeons (ASCRS) Guidelines • Conservative (not generally effective in Grades III, IV)

– Fiber• Meta-analysis of seven controlled trials found a significant

and consistent benefit from fiber supplementation in improving bleeding (RR 0.50, 95% CI 0.28-0.68)

– Also potentially useful:• Sitz baths

– help to relieve irritation and pruritus. In warm water two to three times per day.

• Topicals– Steroids

Alonso-Coello P, et al. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2005;(4):CD004649.

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Therapy

• Minimally invasive – Mostly for Internal Grades I, II, III.

• Band ligation• Coagulation• Sclerotherapy• Cryotherapy

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Therapy

• Surgery– For refractory to above– Thrombosed external

• Complications following a standard closed hemorrhoidectomy include urinary retention, urinary tract infection, fecal impaction, delayed hemorrhage, and pain

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Therapy

• In patients with thrombosed external hemorrhoids– Either observation or excision. Excision

within 48 to 72 hours of the onset of symptoms will result in the most rapid relief of symptoms.

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Summary• Diverticular Disease

– Diverticulosis is common and usually asymptomatic.• Symptoms range from mild cramping and bowel

movement changes to life threatening infection or hemorrhage

– Diverticulitis is an infection of an diverticulum• Uncomplicated cases can be treatment with

outpatient oral antibiotics• Severe or complicated cases may require

hospitalization and invasive therapeutic modalities

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Summary

– Diverticular Bleeding• Is a common cause of massive lower GI

hemorrhage• Colonoscopy and angiography may be

diagnostic and therapeutic• Surgery is reserved for uncontrolled or

refractory cases with best outcomes when the site of bleeding has been localized

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Summary• Hemorrhoids are common and can

cause bleeding, itching, or pain (with thrombosis)– Mild cases can be treated with fiber

supplements and topical medications.– Minimally invasive (endoscopic)

techniques are available.– Surgery is reserved for severe cases or

thrombosis

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Questions?