Acute Perforated Appendicitis Associated with Appendiceal Diverticulitis in a Young Man: A Case Report with Literature Review

Is Appendiceal Diverticulitis Mimicking Acute Appendicitis?

Appendicular diverticulitis (AD) is a rare entity characterized by the inflammation of the arising diverticulum of the appendix. It has been reported to carry a high risk of perioperative complications, such as bleeding and perforation. Furthermore, multiple articles have highlighted the importance of diagnosing AD early due to its strong association with malignancies. Limited published cases concerning AD in our country and globally are available in the literature. Hence, we present in this article a case series of five exciting cases of incidental findings of AD that were initially diagnosed as acute appendicitis based on clinical evaluation and imaging findings. In our series, we performed a retrograde evaluation of the computed tomography scans of all five cases that showed diverticula. In conclusion, histopathological evaluation remains the method of choice to reach the definitive diagnosis; however, it is essential to highlight the relevance of imaging in diagnosing AD preoperatively in the early stages to reduce morbidity and mortality.

Typical and Atypical Presentations of Appendicitis and Their Implications for Diagnosis and Treatment: A Literature Review

Appendicitis, an acute inflammation of the appendix, affects all demographic groups and exhibits various incidences and clinical manifestations. While acute appendicitis typically presents with colicky periumbilical abdominal pain that localizes to the right lower quadrant, atypical presentations are more common in children, geriatric, and pregnant patient populations, leading to delays in diagnosis. Clinical evaluation, clinical scoring systems, and inflammatory markers are commonly used, but their limitations have led to the increased use of diagnostic imaging in patients suspected of appendicitis. Acute appendicitis is managed by non-operative and operative management, depending on whether it is uncomplicated or complicated. Developing diagnostic pathways to improve outcomes and reduce complications is crucial. Although medical advancements have been made, diagnosing and managing appendicitis can be challenging, mainly when patients are present atypically. This literature review aims to comprehensively review typical and atypical presentations of appendicitis and their current implications for diagnosis and treatment modalities in pediatric, adult, pregnant, and geriatric patient populations.

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.