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Diverticulosis historical perspective

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Seyedmahdi Pahlavani, M.D.

Overview

In the 1700s, Alexis Littre was the first to describe diverticular diseases, where he reported “diverticular hernia” without explaining it. It was not until 1849 that Jean Cruveilheir, a French anatomist, was the first to describe in detail the diverticular herniations through the muscular wall of the colon. In 1907, the surgical management of dirverticulosis was first reported by William James Mayo, an American physician and surgeon. The association between intake of dietary fibers and prevention of diverticulosis was first made by Painter and Burkitt in 1971.

Historical Perspective

  • In the 1700s, Alexis Littre was the first to describe diverticular diseases, where he reported “diverticular hernia” without explaining it.[1]
  • In 1815, Fleischman was the first to coin the term duvertikel.[1]
  • In 1849, Jean Cruveilheir, a French anatomist, was the first to describe in detail the diverticular herniations through the muscular wall of the colon.[2]
  • In 1899, Ernst Graser, a British surgeon, described diverticulitis, and in 1904, Edwin Beer, an American surgeon, demonstrated the histological and clinical association between diverticulosis and diverticulitis.[3][4]
  • In 1907, the surgical management of dirverticulosis was first reported by William James Mayo, an American physician and surgeon.[5]
  • It was not until 1971 that Painter and Burkitt demonstrated the association between fiber intake and prevention of diverticulosis.[6]

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 Matrana MR, Margolin DA (2009). “Epidemiology and pathophysiology of diverticular disease”. Clin Colon Rectal Surg. 22 (3): 141–6. doi:10.1055/s-0029-1236157. PMC 2780269. PMID 20676256.
  2. Cruveilhier, S (1849). “Traite de’anatomie pathologique”. Balliere et Cie. 1: 592–3. |access-date= requires |url= (help)
  3. Graser, E (1899). “Uber multiple faslsche darmdivetikelin der fleura sigmoida”. Munch Med Wochenschr. 46: 74. |access-date= requires |url= (help)
  4. Beer, E (1904). “Some pathological and clinical aspects of acquired (false) diverticula of the intestine”. Am J Med Sci. 128: 125–45. |access-date= requires |url= (help)
  5. Mayo, WJ; Wilson, LB; Griffin, HZ (1907). “Acquired diverticulitis of the large intestine”. Surg Gynecol Obstet. 5: 8–15. |access-date= requires |url= (help)
  6. Painter NS, Burkitt DP (1971). “Diverticular disease of the colon: a deficiency disease of Western civilization”. Br Med J. 2 (5759): 450–4. PMC 1796198. PMID 4930390.

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