Data from Morehouse School of Medicine, Department of Surgery provide new insights into abdominal pain
October 1st, 2007
2007 OCT 1 -- Current study results from the report, "Cecal epiploic appendagitis: a diagnostic and therapeutic dilemma," have been published. "Acute epiploic appendagitis (EA) is a rare and often misdiagnosed cause of acute abdominal pain. Though a benign and often self-limiting condition, EA's ability to mimic other disease processes makes it an important consideration in patients presenting with acute abdominal symptoms," researchers in the United States report.
"Careful evaluation of abdominal CT scan findings is crucial in the accurate diagnosis of epiploic appendagitis, thus avoiding unnecessary surgical intervention. We report a case of a 29-year-old male presenting with a two day history of generalized abdominal pain. Physical exam revealed a diffusely tender abdomen with hypoactive bowel sounds. The patient had a leukocytosis of 18,000 and abdominal CT scan revealed right lower quadrant inflammatory changes suggestive of acute appendicitis. Laparoscopic exploration revealed an inflamed gangrenous structure adjacent to the ileocecal junction. Pathologic evaluation revealed tissue consistent with epiploic appendagitis. Retrospective review of the CT scan revealed a normal appearing appendiceal structure supero-lateral to the area of inflammation. The patient recovered uneventfully with resolving leukocytosis. We present a case of cecal epiploic appendagitis mimicking acute appendicitis and review the current literature on radiographic findings, diagnosis, and treatment of this often misdiagnosed condition," wrote V.G. Patel and colleagues, Morehouse School of Medicine, Department of Surgery.
The researchers concluded: "General surgeons should be aware of this self-limiting condition and consider this in the differential diagnosis."
Patel and colleagues published their study in The American Surgeon (Cecal epiploic appendagitis: a diagnostic and therapeutic dilemma. The American Surgeon, 2007;73(8):828-30).
For additional information, contact V.G. Patel, Morehouse School of Medicine, Dept. of Surgery, 720 Westview Drive, SW, Atlanta, GA 30311 USA..
Publisher contact information for the journal The American Surgeon is: Southeastern Surgical Congress, 141 West Wieuca Rd., Ste. B100, Atlanta, GA 30342, USA.
Keywords: United States, Atlanta, Abdominal Pain, Diagnostics, Gastroenterology.
This article was prepared by Pain & Central Nervous System Week editors from staff and other reports. Copyright 2007, Pain & Central Nervous System Week via NewsRx.com.
