Diagnosis of appendiceal diverticulitis by multidetector computed tomography

Diagnostic Ability of Transabdominal Ultrasonography for Appendiceal Diverticulitis

OBJECTIVES

Appendiceal diverticulitis (AD) is frequently confused with acute appendicitis (AA); however, AD carries a higher risk of perforation and malignancy than AA. We aimed to evaluate the preoperative diagnostic ability of transabdominal ultrasonography (US) for AD.

METHODS

We included 74 patients who underwent appendectomy with a preoperative diagnosis of AA, AD, and US within a day of surgery. AD was diagnosed using US by identifying protruding, pouch-like hypoechoic structures beyond the appendiceal margin, whereas it was diagnosed using histopathology by identifying the invagination of the appendiceal epithelium into the muscularis propria.

RESULTS

The median patient age was 45 years (61% males). Among the patients with a US diagnosis of AD, 9 patients had histopathological AD, while one patient did not. The other 64 patients without a US diagnosis of AD did not have histopathological AD. US showed 100% sensitivity, 98% specificity, 90% positive predictive value, 100% negative predictive value, and 99% accuracy for AD. A retrospective review of US images showed that 8 patients exhibited high echoic rims at the border of the hypoechoic structures among the 9 patients with histopathological AD. When this finding was incorporated into the US diagnosis of AD, the specificity increased to 100%.

CONCLUSIONS

The diagnostic accuracy of US for AD is high. Not only are protruding pouch-like hypoechoic structures specific for the US diagnosis of AD, but also highly echoic rims at the border.

Clinical features and risk factors for appendiceal diverticulitis: a comparative study with acute appendicitis

PURPOSE

Despite their similar clinical characteristics, appendiceal diverticulitis (AD) and acute appendicitis (AA) are pathologically distinct. This study compared the clinical features of AD and AA and identified relevant risk factors.

METHODS

Patients who underwent appendectomy with a preoperative diagnosis of either AD or AA were categorized based on histopathological findings. The two groups were compared in terms of various clinical factors.

RESULTS

Among the 854 patients included in the study, a histopathological evaluation revealed 49 and 805 cases of AD and AA, respectively. A univariate analysis demonstrated that AD was more prevalent than AA among older, taller, and heavier males. A multivariate analysis revealed that male sex, a white blood cell (WBC) count < 13.5 × 103/μL, an eosinophil count ≥ 0.4%, and a mean corpuscular volume (MCV) ≥ 91.6 fL were significant factors differentiating AD from AA. In addition, pathological AD emerged as an independent risk factor for abscess and/or perforation.

CONCLUSIONS

AD was associated with an older age, robust physique, and significant risk of abscess and/or perforation despite a low WBC count. In addition to imaging modalities, the preoperative factors of male sex, a WBC count < 13.5 × 103/μL, an eosinophil count ≥ 0.4%, and a MCV ≥ 91.6 fL may be useful for distinguishing AD from AA.

Emergency medicine updates: Acute diverticulitis

INTRODUCTION

Acute diverticulitis is a condition commonly seen in the emergency department (ED). Therefore, it is important for emergency medicine clinicians to be aware of the current evidence regarding the diagnosis and management of this disease.

OBJECTIVE

This paper evaluates key evidence-based updates concerning acute diverticulitis for the emergency clinician.

DISCUSSION

Diverticulitis is a complication of diverticulosis and most commonly affects the sigmoid and descending colon in Western countries. History and examination can suggest the diagnosis, with abdominal pain and tenderness in the left lower quadrant being the most common symptom and sign, respectively. Change in bowel habits and fever may also occur. Laboratory testing may demonstrate leukocytosis or an elevated C-reactive protein. Imaging options can include computed tomography (CT) of the abdomen and pelvis with intravenous contrast, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), or ultrasound (US), though most classification systems for diverticulitis incorporate CT findings. While the majority of diverticulitis cases are uncomplicated, complications may affect up to 25% of patients. Treatment of complicated diverticulitis requires antibiotics and surgical consultation. Antibiotics are not required in select patients with uncomplicated diverticulitis. Appropriate patients for supportive care without antibiotics should be well-appearing, have pain adequately controlled, be able to tolerate oral intake, be able to follow up, have no complications, and have no immunocompromise or severe comorbidities.

CONCLUSIONS

An understanding of literature updates can improve the ED care of patients with acute diverticulitis.

ACR Appropriateness Criteria® Left Lower Quadrant Pain: 2023 Update

The differential diagnosis for left lower quadrant pain is wide and conditions range from the benign and self-limited to life-threatening surgical emergencies. Along with patient history, physical examination, and laboratory tests, imaging is often critical to limit the differential diagnosis and identify life-threatening abnormalities. This document will discuss the guidelines for the appropriate use of imaging in the initial workup for patients who present with left lower quadrant pain, patients with suspected diverticulitis, and patients with suspected complications from diverticulitis. The American College of Radiology Appropriateness Criteria are evidence-based guidelines for specific clinical conditions that are reviewed annually by a multidisciplinary expert panel. The guideline development and revision process support the systematic analysis of the medical literature from peer reviewed journals. Established methodology principles such as Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation or GRADE are adapted to evaluate the evidence. The RAND/UCLA Appropriateness Method User Manual provides the methodology to determine the appropriateness of imaging and treatment procedures for specific clinical scenarios. In those instances where peer reviewed literature is lacking or equivocal, experts may be the primary evidentiary source available to formulate a recommendation.

Complicated appendiceal diverticulitis a extremely rare cause of acute abdomen: A case report and literature review

INTRODUCTION AND IMPORTANCE

Appendiceal diverticulitis (AD) represents a rare cause of acute abdomen. Diagnosis of AD is a challenge because of its rarity and resemblance to other ileocecal diseases like as cecal diverticulitis (CD) and acute appendicitis (AA). Preoperative imaging can be useful to aid diagnosis. Surgery represents the correct treatment of AD.

CASE PRESENTATION

A 48-year-old Caucasian male presented to the Emergency Department with a two-day history of right lower quadrant (RLQ) abdominal pain and fever. Physical examination revealed RLQ abdominal pain and rebound tenderness with muscle guarding. Laboratory tests reported high levels of C-reactive protein and neutrophilic leukocytosis. Abdominal computed tomography(CT) scan showed findings of AA and a thin-walled 5 mm appendiceal diverticulum. The patient underwent laparoscopic appendectomy. The postoperative course was uneventful, the patient was discharged on the 5th postoperative day in a stable condition. Gross anatomy confirmed the presence of appendiceal diverticulum in the distal appendix on the mesenteric border. Histopathological examination revealed an inflamed and perforated appendiceal pseudo-diverticulum with surrounding AA and peri-appendicitis.

CLINICAL DISCUSSION

Appendiceal diverticulosis is an uncommon entity, classified as congenital or acquired based on the number of appendiceal layers herniating through the normal wall. Two thirds of diverticula will develop acute or chronic diverticulitis that can lead to several complications some of which can be life-threatening.

CONCLUSION

AD is a rare surgical emergency and represents often an overlooked diagnosis. Early diagnosis and treatment are crucial for reducing morbidity and mortality Appendectomy represents a safe and appropriate treatment of AD.

Appendiceal Diverticulitis Presenting as Acute Appendicitis: A Case Report

Appendiceal diverticulitis (AD) is an overlooked pathology that carries a high risk of perforation and associated neoplasia, especially carcinoid tumours and mucinous adenoma. AD may be congenital, but more commonly acquired. It may cause diverticulitis, which causes clinical and radiological signs like those of acute appendicitis, and that may delay the diagnosis till it is confirmed on histopathological examination. Here we report a case of acute AD in a case initially diagnosed as acute appendicitis.

Appendiceal Diverticulitis Presenting as Acute Appendicitis and Diagnosed After Appendectomy

Introduction

Diverticular disease of the appendix (DDA) is a rare appendiceal pathology. It is usually present similar to acute appendicitis. Because of its rarity, the DDA is poorly comprehended. This study evaluates the incidence, clinical and pathological characteristics of appendiceal diverticulitis diagnosed after appendectomy.

Methods

We performed a retrospective analysis of patients who underwent appendectomy between January 2016 and January 2022 at the Istanbul Sultanbeyli State Hospital General Surgery Clinic. The following parameters were analyzed: age and gender, preoperative diagnosis, laboratory results, radiological imaging findings, surgical technique, histopathological examination of specimens, and complications.

Results

A total of 1586 patients were analyzed. In the pathology, diverticular disease of the appendix was detected in 10 patients (0.63%). The DDA patients’ mean age was 34.4 years, and the male to female ratio was 4:1. We detected low-grade appendiceal mucinous neoplasia in one of our patients.

Conclusion

Appendiceal diverticulitis is rare and usually presents as acute appendicitis. Most DDAs are detected incidentally during the postoperative period and are associated with an increased risk of appendiceal neoplasm. Appendectomy specimens should be carefully examined histopathologically to detect diverticular disease of the appendix.

Mucosal prolapse syndrome-like inflammatory polyp protruding from the appendiceal orifice masquerading as an appendiceal neoplasm: A rare case report

We describe a case of a mucosal prolapse syndrome (MPS)-like inflammatory polyp protruding from the appendiceal orifice, mimicking an appendiceal neoplasm. A 48-year-old man presented with lower abdominal pain and elevated white blood cell count and C-reactive protein level. Computed tomography showed a swollen appendix with multiple small saccular lesions and periappendiceal fat stranding and small saccular lesions in the ascending colon and cecum. Ultrasonography showed a swollen appendix 25 mm in diameter with multiple saccular structures and a periappendiceal high-echoic area, suggesting appendiceal diverticulitis. Colonoscopy revealed an erythematous lesion protruding from the appendiceal orifice. An ileocecal resection was performed based on a preoperative diagnosis of appendiceal diverticulitis and tumor. Histopathological examination of the appendix showed multiple mucosal herniations with infiltration of inflammatory cells, indicating appendiceal diverticulitis. The tumor was characterized by glandular duct hyperplasia and stromal expansion with smooth muscle hyperplasia and was diagnosed as an inflammatory polyp resembling an MPS lesion. Although several studies have shown the macroscopic and endoscopic appearance of MPS-like inflammatory lesions associated with colonic diverticular disease, this case was the first to present an inflammatory polyp associated with appendiceal diverticulitis in which the lesion protruding from the appendiceal orifice was masquerading as an appendiceal neoplasm.