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Post appendectomy collection

Case contributed by Ian Bickle
Diagnosis certain

Presentation

This middle aged patient underwent an appendectomy one week previously. He presents now with lower abdominal pain and fever.

Patient Data

Age: 45 years
Gender: Male

Large gas-fluid filled collection immediately inferomedial to the cecum.  The distal ileum is displaced medially, with thickening of the small bowel wall.

Incidental left adrenal nodule.

Case Discussion

Appendicitis is a frequently observed surgical condition.  On occasion, patients may present with complications, such as perforation or an appendix abscess.

Appendectomy is one of the most common surgical procedures.  In most cases, it is a straightforward surgical procedure, although complications, such as post-operative collections can occur.

In many instances, further surgery may not be required, as ultrasound guided percutaneous drainage or in some cases CT guided percutaneous drainage can be undertaken.

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