What procedure should be avoided in patients with diverticulitis?

In the context of diverticulitis, performing a barium enema is generally avoided due to the risk of complications. Diverticulitis involves inflammation of diverticula, which are small pouches that can form in the walls of the colon. When these diverticula become inflamed or infected, introducing barium through an enema can lead to the barium being extravasated into the peritoneal cavity if there is a perforation. This can result in serious complications such as peritonitis, which is a medical emergency.

Other imaging procedures, like a CT scan or ultrasound, are often preferred in the management of diverticulitis. A CT scan, in particular, provides detailed images of the abdomen and can help assess the severity of diverticulitis and detect any complications, while ultrasound is less commonly used but can still aid in diagnosis without the same risks associated with barium enema. Colonoscopy is generally postponed during acute diverticulitis due to the risk of perforation but may be indicated once the condition has stabilized. Therefore, barium enema is the procedure that should be avoided in patients with diverticulitis due to the potential for serious complications.