Summary of best clinical practice treating diverticular disease

Diverticular disease with no symptoms

•     High fibre

•     Low-fat diet

•     Exercise.

Diverticular disease with symptoms, but no complications

•     Dietary modification

•     Fibre supplementation

•     Adequate fluids.

Acute diverticulitis

•     Broad-spectrum oral antibiotics as an outpatient

•     Intravenous antibiotics if unwell or not responding to oral therapy

•     CT scan to exclude imminent complications plus or minus drainage of an abscess

•     If clinical response in two to four days, complete a seven- to ten-day course of oral antibiotics after discharge from hospital.