<Ul> <Li> Plain abdominal X-ray may show signs of a thickened wall, ileus, constipation, small bowel obstruction or free air in the case of perforation . Plain X-rays are insufficient to diagnose diverticular disease . </Li> <Li> Contrast CT is the investigation of choice in acute episodes of diverticulitis and where complications exist . </Li> <Li> Colonoscopy will show the diverticulum and rule out malignancy . A colonoscopy should be performed 4--6 weeks after an acute episode . </Li> <Li> Barium enema is inferior to colonoscopy in terms of image quality and is usually only performed if the patient has strictures or an excessively tortuous sigmoid colon where colonoscopy is difficult or dangerous . </Li> <Li> MRI provides a clear picture of the soft tissue of the abdomen, however its expense often outweighs the benefits when compared to contrast CT or colonoscopy . </Li> <Li> There is no blood test for diverticulosis . </Li> </Ul> <Li> Plain abdominal X-ray may show signs of a thickened wall, ileus, constipation, small bowel obstruction or free air in the case of perforation . Plain X-rays are insufficient to diagnose diverticular disease . </Li> <Li> Contrast CT is the investigation of choice in acute episodes of diverticulitis and where complications exist . </Li> <Li> Colonoscopy will show the diverticulum and rule out malignancy . A colonoscopy should be performed 4--6 weeks after an acute episode . </Li>

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