A 62-year-old man presented to the emergency department with sustained left-sided abdominal pain. An examination revealed abdominal tenderness localized the left para-umbilical region. Ultrasonography showed an oval, noncompressible lesion with heterogeneous echotexture located at the point of tenderness (Picture 1). Abdominal computed tomography revealed an oval-shaped fat-dense lesion with a thin wall and central dot signs (Picture 2, 3), confirming a diagnosis of acute epiploic appendagitis. The patient was treated conservatively with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. His symptoms resolved after three days of admission. Epiploic appendagitis is a rare condition with an incidence of 8.8 per 1 million people (1). This condition may clinically mimic diverticulitis or appendicitis, and it has been estimated that up to 7% of all patients clinically suspected of having diverticulitis and 1% of patients with acute appendicitis may actually have epiploic appendagitis (2). The accurate diagnosis of this disease in patients presenting with acute abdomen can help avoid unnecessary antibiotic therapy and surgery.
Picture 1.
Picture 2.
Picture 3.
The authors state that they have no Conflict of Interest (COI).
References
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