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K57.2 – Diverticulitis of the Large Intestine | ICD-10

K57.2 is the ICD-10 code for diverticulitis of the large intestine without perforation or abscess. Inflamed pouches in the colon wall cause abdominal pain and require medical treatment.

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Things worth knowing about "K57.2"

K57.2 is the ICD-10 code for diverticulitis of the large intestine without perforation or abscess. Inflamed pouches in the colon wall cause abdominal pain and require medical treatment.

What Does the ICD-10 Code K57.2 Mean?

The ICD-10 code K57.2 stands for diverticulitis of the large intestine without perforation or abscess. It belongs to the group of diverticular diseases of the intestine (K57) and describes the inflammation of small, pouch-like outpouchings (diverticula) in the wall of the large intestine (colon), without a rupture of the bowel wall (perforation) or the formation of an abscess.

Causes and Development

Diverticula typically develop due to prolonged elevated pressure inside the colon, often as a result of a low-fiber diet and chronic constipation. Inflammation occurs when bacteria or stool particles become trapped inside these pouches. Contributing risk factors include:

Low-fiber diet
Physical inactivity
Older age (commonly from age 50 onwards)
Chronic constipation
Genetic predisposition
Obesity

Symptoms

Typical symptoms of diverticulitis of the large intestine (K57.2) include:

Pain in the lower left abdomen (as the sigmoid colon is most commonly affected)
Fever and chills
Changes in bowel habits (diarrhea or constipation)
Nausea and vomiting
Rectal bleeding (uncommon in uncomplicated cases)

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of diverticulitis is based on a combination of clinical examination and imaging:

Medical history and physical examination: Tenderness in the lower left abdomen is a key sign.
Blood tests: Elevated inflammatory markers such as CRP (C-reactive protein) and white blood cell count (leukocytes).
Abdominal ultrasound: First-line imaging investigation.
Abdominal CT scan (computed tomography): Gold standard for assessing severity and excluding complications.

Treatment

Uncomplicated Diverticulitis (K57.2)

In uncomplicated diverticulitis without perforation or abscess, conservative management is often sufficient:

Antibiotics: For example, amoxicillin-clavulanate or ciprofloxacin combined with metronidazole (in mild cases, treatment without antibiotics may also be considered).
Dietary modification: Light, liquid or soft foods to reduce bowel strain.
Pain management: Suitable analgesics such as paracetamol (NSAIDs should be avoided due to the risk of bleeding).
Hospital admission: Required for severe symptoms, high fever, or uncertainty about disease severity.

Prevention of Recurrence

After the acute inflammation has resolved, the following measures are recommended:

Increasing dietary fiber intake
Adequate fluid intake
Regular physical activity
Weight reduction in cases of obesity

Differentiation from Other K57 Codes

The ICD-10 code K57 subdivides diverticular diseases by location and complication level. K57.2 specifically refers to diverticulitis of the large intestine without perforation or abscess. Related codes include:

K57.0: Diverticulitis of small intestine without perforation or abscess
K57.1: Diverticulitis of small intestine with perforation and abscess
K57.3: Diverticulitis of large intestine with perforation and abscess
K57.8: Diverticulitis of both small and large intestine without perforation or abscess

References

Leifeld L. et al. - S2k Clinical Guideline on Diverticular Disease/Diverticulitis, AWMF Registration No. 021-20, German Society for Gastroenterology, Digestive and Metabolic Diseases (DGVS), 2022.
World Health Organization (WHO) - ICD-10: International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems, 10th Revision, Chapter XI: Diseases of the Digestive System (K00-K93).
Feuerstein J.D., Falchuk K.R. - Diverticulosis and Diverticulitis. Mayo Clinic Proceedings, 2016;91(8):1094-1104.

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