What is a common complication of untreated diverticulitis?

Untreated diverticulitis can lead to a variety of serious complications, with the most common being intestinal obstruction, abscess formation, and perforation.

Intestinal obstruction occurs due to inflammation and thickening of the colonic wall, as well as the formation of strictures as diverticulitis progresses. This can lead to a blockage in the bowel, causing symptoms such as abdominal pain, distension, and vomiting.

Abscess formation is another significant complication, resulting from localized infection and inflammation around the diverticula. When the diverticula become inflamed or infected, pus can develop, leading to the formation of an abscess. This may require surgical intervention if it does not resolve with antibiotics alone.

Perforation is a critical consequence of untreated diverticulitis where a weakness in the inflamed diverticulum culminates in an actual hole in the intestinal wall, allowing bowel contents to spill into the abdominal cavity. This can lead to peritonitis, a life-threatening infection that requires immediate surgical attention.

Given these insights, recognizing that untreated diverticulitis can result in any of these complications reinforces that the most comprehensive choice encompasses all potential outcomes, confirming that "all of the above" correctly describes the possible complications arising from the condition.