Perforated sigmoid diverticulitis masquerading as multiple intra and extra abdominal disseminated abscesses

Abstract

Abscess formation in perforated diverticulitis is most commonly confined to the pelvis, with other intraperitoneal and extraperitoneal locations rarer in the literature. Presented here is the case of a 63-year-old male who was diagnosed with perforated diverticulitis which manifested in multiple intra- and extra-abdominal abscesses. These were identified on abdominopelvic computed tomography to include a presacral abscess, bilateral psoas abscesses, a large left flank abscess located between the internal and external oblique muscles, as well as osteomyelitis of the S1 vertebra. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first reported case in the literature with this disseminated constellation of abscesses secondary to acute perforated diverticulitis.