What is a common presentation of diverticulitis?

Diverticulitis commonly presents with a left lower quadrant (LLQ) pain, fever, and absence of bloody diarrhea. This condition arises when diverticula, small pouches that can form in the walls of the intestines, become inflamed or infected. The left lower quadrant is the typical location for the pain since most diverticula occur in the sigmoid colon, which is situated there.

Fever is often present as part of the systemic inflammatory response to infection. Patients may experience abdominal tenderness upon examination, particularly in the LLQ, which often correlates with the affected area. While diverticulitis can occasionally be associated with changes in bowel habits, including diarrhea or constipation, classic presentations do not typically include bloody diarrhea unless there are complications such as perforation or abscess formation, which are less common.

In this context, the absence of bloody diarrhea is significant, as it helps differentiate diverticulitis from other gastrointestinal conditions where hematochezia might be a feature, such as diverticular bleeding or colitis. The classic triad of fever, LLQ pain, and lack of bloody diarrhea is key in identifying diverticulitis in a clinical setting.