A giant colonic diverticulum presenting as a 'phantom mass': a case report
2009

Giant Colonic Diverticulum Presenting as a Phantom Mass

Sample size: 1 publication Evidence: low

Author Information

Author(s): Abdelrazeq Ayman S, Owais Anwar E, Aldoori Munther I, Botterill Ian D

Primary Institution: North Cheshire NHS Trust Hospitals

Conclusion

A giant colonic diverticulum can present as an intermittent mass causing compression of nearby structures, which is a rare occurrence.

Supporting Evidence

  • The patient experienced a long history of symptoms that were difficult to diagnose.
  • CT imaging ultimately revealed the presence of a giant colonic diverticulum.
  • The diverticulum was found to be 8 cm in size and filled with air and fecal debris.

Takeaway

A woman had a big belly lump that came and went, and it turned out to be a rare type of bulge in her colon that was hard to find at first.

Methodology

The case involved extensive diagnostic imaging and surgical intervention to identify and treat the giant colonic diverticulum.

Limitations

The diagnosis was delayed due to the intermittent nature of the symptoms and normal results from various tests.

Participant Demographics

68-year-old Caucasian British woman.

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1186/1752-1947-3-29

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