Colonic diverticular abscess presenting as chronic diarrhea: a case report

INTRODUCTION: Several complications have been reported with diverticular disease of colon. Perforation of the diverticulum of colon may lead to development of abdominal abscesses which can have diverse manifestations. CASE PRESENTATION: This report describes a 72 year-old woman presented with a one month history of non-bloody diarrhea, abdominal pain, and low grade fever. Computed tomography scan confirmed presence of a large local air-fluid level within the culdesac area. Laparotomy revealed a large pelvic abscess which was surrounded between rectosigmoid and uterus with severe tissue necrosis of rectosigmoid colon and uterus. CONCLUSION: Although rarely reported, abdominal abscesses due to colonic diverticulitis may present as refractory chronic diarrhea.