Right-Sided Diverticulitis: A Rare Cause of Right-Sided Abdominal Pain

Abstract

Acute diverticulitis is a particularly common medical entity, and its frequency increases with age. The most commonly affected part of the large intestine is the sigmoid colon, while right-sided diverticulitis is very rare. Here, we report the case of a 59-year-old man who presented to the emergency department due to acute right lower quadrant abdominal pain. The patient was diagnosed with a computed tomography scan of the abdomen with intravenous contrast with right-sided diverticulitis. The patient's treatment included hydration and intravenous antibiotics (ciprofloxacin and metronidazole). After three days of hospitalization, the patient was discharged from the hospital in stable condition and without signs of inflammation. This case report demonstrates the importance of including right-sided diverticulitis in the differential diagnosis of acute right lower quadrant abdominal pain, as in most cases patients are treated conservatively without the need for surgical intervention.

Keywords: abdominal pain; acute appendicitis; acute diverticulitis; diverticular disease; right-sided diverticulitis.

Figure 1. CT coronal scan demonstrating right-sided diverticulitis.

Figure 2. CT axial scan demonstrating right-sided diverticulitis.