Relation between pelvic phleboliths and diverticular disease of the colon.

Abstract

The frequent occurrence of colon diverticula and pelvic phleboliths in older persons in Western society has been attributed to the long-term effects of a low-fiber diet. If diet is a common factor for both processes, their incidence should be related. A statistical study was performed to correlate the number and size of pelvic phleboliths with the amount of colon diverticular disease present at barium enema. Examination of barium enemas of 203 patients (98 male, 105 female) aged 60-69 years showed no statistical difference between the genders in regard to the location and amount of either diverticular disease or number and size of pelvic phleboliths . There was no statistical correlation between the amount of diverticular disease and the mere presence or absence of pelvic phleboliths . However, when phleboliths were present, there was a definite statistical correlation between the number and size of the phleboliths and the degree of diverticular disease present. On the basis of this study, the relation between phleboliths and colon diverticula seems complex and needs further examination.