An Acute Abdomen Dilemma: Epiploic Appendagitis

Abstract

Aim:Appendagitis is a clinical condition caused by ischemia, torsion or inflammation of epiploic appendices located on serosal surface of the colon. Antibiotics and analgesics are generally sufficient in treatment. Rarely, excision might be needed. It might be confused with acute appendicitis and diverticulitis, depending on its localization.Method:The data of 12 patients with acute abdomen, who were diagnosed to have epiploic appendagitis and responded to medical treatment completely, were analyzed retrospectively.Results:There were seven female and five male patients with a mean age of 33 (range: 21-48) years. The mean body mass index was 25.5 (range: 19- 34). There was no abdominal surgery. The mean length of hospital stay, leukocyte count and C-reactive protein (CRP) were 2.08 days, 10.41x103/μL and 2.3 mg/dL, respectively. Sixty-six point six percent (n=8) of the epiploic appendagitis was localized in the right colon and 33.3% (n=4) in the left colon. A positive correlation was found between the diameter of appendagitis and leukocyte count and CRP level (p>0.05). There was no correlation between appendagitis diameter and vomiting (p>0.05).Conclusion:Appendagitis should be kept in mind in patients presenting with sudden onset, sharp and constant pain. Informing radiologist about this possibility may help to confirm the diagnosis.

Keywords

• Conservative treatment
• epiploic appendagitis
• radiology