Health Dictionary
Reliable, easy-to-read patient information on common medical conditions — written in plain language, free of jargon, and grounded in current evidence. Browse the most frequent diagnoses, understand what they mean for everyday life, and learn which steps and questions help you have a focused conversation with your doctor.
Diverticulitis MRI
Introduction
Overview
Overview
On abdominal MRI, diverticulitis is characterized by thickening of the colon wall, the presence of the diverticula, and exudates from the colon. It may also show the presence of multiple abscesses. MRI is a good imaging modality that can be used in the diagnosis of diverticulitis since it has the advantage that it doesn’t involve exposure to radiation and rules out other abdominal causes of acute abdomen.[1] However, MRI is not the best diagnostic procedure for diverticulitis; CT scan is preferred.[2]
MRI
MRI
MRI shows the following findings in diverticulitis patients:[3][4]
- Wall thickness of the colon
- Presence of diverticula
- Exudates and edema out of the colon
- Abscesses
- Fatty infiltration in the colon
- Segmental narrowing of the colon
References
References
- ↑ Heverhagen JT, Sitter H, Zielke A, Klose KJ. Prospective evaluation of the value of magnetic resonance imaging in suspected acute sigmoid diverticulitis. Dis Colon Rectum. 2008 Dec;51(12):1810-5. doi: 10.1007/s10350-008-9330-4. Epub 2008 Apr 29. PMID: 18443876.
- ↑ Brown RF, Lopez K, Smith CB, Charles A. Diverticulitis: A Review. JAMA. Published online July 24, 2025. doi:10.1001/jama.2025.10234
- ↑ Heverhagen JT, Sitter H, Zielke A, Klose KJ (2008). “Prospective evaluation of the value of magnetic resonance imaging in suspected acute sigmoid diverticulitis”. Dis Colon Rectum. 51 (12): 1810–5. doi:10.1007/s10350-008-9330-4. PMID 18443876.
- ↑ Heverhagen JT, Zielke A, Ishaque N, Bohrer T, El-Sheik M, Klose KJ (2001). “Acute colonic diverticulitis: visualization in magnetic resonance imaging”. Magn Reson Imaging. 19 (10): 1275–7. PMID 11804754.
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1] Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: James Nasr[2]