Co-existing acute appendicitis and epiploic appendagitis

Case contributed by Ahmed Samir
Diagnosis almost certain

Presentation

Right iliac fossa pain, vomiting, fever and leukocytosis.

Patient Data

Age: 30 years
Gender: Male

The appendix is enlarged measures 9 mm diameter at its tip with increased wall thickness and enhancement, mild surrounding fat stranding, no extraluminal air or localized collection.

A small oval-shaped lesion measures 8 mm seen at the posterior wall of the ascending colon with a fatty core (-11 HU) showing minimal stranding of the adjacent fat, findings are suggestive of epiploic appendagitis.

Mild free pelvic fluid.

The appendix is enlarged measures 9 mm diameter at its tip (yellow arrowhead) with increased wall thickness and enhancement.

A small oval-shaped lesion (red arrow) measures 8 mm seen at the posterior wall of the ascending colon with a fatty core ( -11 HU) showing minimal stranding of the adjacent fat, findings are suggestive of epiploic appendagitis.

Operative notes

Inflamed appendix with intact base, a single inflamed epiploic appendage just above the cecum. The appendix was removed, while the inflamed appendage was not touched. 

Case Discussion

Epiploic appendagitis is a differential diagnosis of acute appendicitis, differentiating both lesions is crucial as the latter typically requires surgery, while the other always treated conservatively. Co-existence of appendicitis and its mimicker is very uncommon.

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