Sixty consecutive cases operated for diverticular disease of the colon within the last 10 years are reviewed. A comparative study is made of the anatomopathological examination of the specimens and their radiological aspect trying to establish the precise radiological picture of acute, chronic and fibrotic peri-diverticular disease. Plain films of the abdomen, intravenous uro- and cystography are very useful in acute cases. A baryum enema just prior to surgery (33 cases) heralds by the rigid aspect of the involved bowelsegment the acute case; spasms, thick disorderly folds and localized extravasation characterize the acute peridiverticulitis. Fibrotic peri-diverticular disease shows disorderly, fine but "ragged" folds associated with extrinsic fistulae. In many cases the inflammation is not purely acute nor chronic or fibrotic. The distinguishing histological types are simultaneously present and render the radiological picture complex.