Primary epiploic appendagitis and successful outpatient management

Acute epiploic appendagitis mimicking symptoms of urinary tract infection: A diagnostic enigma in the emergency department

The epiploic appendages (also known as appendices epiploicae) are usually located on the anti-mesenteric surface of the colon, extending from the caecum to the rectosigmoid, and epiploic appendagitis (EA) is the inflammation of these appendages. We report a clinical image of epiploic appendagitis creating a diagnostic challenge.

Primary epiploic appendagitis as an unusual cause of acute abdominal pain in a middle-aged male: A case report

RATIONALE

Primary epiploic appendagitis (PEA) is a rare cause of acute abdomen caused by spontaneous torsion or venous thrombosis of epiploic appendices, it commonly manifests with acute lower quadrant pain, thus may mimic acute diverticulitis, appendicitis, or mesenteric infarction.

PATIENT CONCERNS

In this case report, we report a 44 years old man who presented with persistent sharp pain in the left lower quadrant abdomen, Laboratory tests were mostly normal, contrast enhanced computed tomography (CECT) revealed a slightly high density shadow with fat foci in the middle was presented around the local descending colon, accompanied by the adjacent peritoneal thickening.

DIAGNOSES

He was diagnosed with PEA as confirmed by an abdominal contrast enhanced computed tomography (CECT) scan.

INTERVENTIONS

He was followed up in the clinic without any dietary restrictions, antibiotic or analgesic drugs use.

OUTCOMES

The abdominal pain gradually subsided a week later, and there were no recurrence of the symptoms during follow-up.

LESSONS

In our case, the diagnosis of PEA using CECT allows the patient to avoid surgery and other invasive treatment.

Recurrent epiploic appendagitis mimicking appendicitis and cholecystitis

Epiploic appendagitis (EA) is a rare cause of acute abdominal pain caused by inflammation of an epiploic appendage. It has a nonspecific clinical presentation that may mimic other acute abdominal pathologies on physical exam, such as appendicitis, diverticulitis, or cholecystitis. However, EA is usually benign and self-limiting and can be treated conservatively. We present the case of a patient with two episodes of EA, the first mimicking acute appendicitis and the second mimicking acute cholecystitis. Although recurrence of EA is rare, it should be part of the differential diagnosis of acute, localized abdominal pain. A correct diagnosis of EA will prevent unnecessary hospitalization, antibiotic use, and surgical procedures.

Co-occurrence of carbohydrate malabsorption and primary epiploic appendagitis

Unspecific abdominal complaints including bloating and irregular bowel movements may be caused by carbohydrate malabsorption syndromes, e.g., lactose and fructose malabsorption. These symptoms were investigated with hydrogen (H₂) breath tests and correlated to carbohydrate malabsorption. During performing these H₂-breath tests the patient presented with an acute, localized, non-migratory pain in the left lower abdominal quadrant. Primary epiploic appendagitis is a rare cause of abdominal acute or subacute complaints and diagnosis of primary epiploic appendagitis (PEA) is made when computed tomography reveals a characteristic lesion. We report on a patient with co-occurrence of lactose and fructose malabsorption, which was treated successfully with a diet free of culprit carbohydrates, with PEA recovering without medication or surgical treatment within few days. Since the abdominal unspecific symptoms had been present for months, they appeared not to be correlated to the acute localized abdominal pain, therefore we speculate on a random co-occurrence of combined carbohydrate malabsorption and PEA.

Recurrent epiploic appendagitis and peritoneal dialysis: A case report and literature review

Epiploic appendagitis (EA) is rare cause of acute or subacute abdominal pain in patients on peritoneal dialysis (PD), where the diagnosis can be challenging as the clinical features, laboratory markers and imaging characteristics have not been described previously in this group of patients. Here, we present the management of a case of EA in a patient on PD and review published literature pertinent to the subject. The importance of establishing the diagnosis early by laparoscopy is emphasised.