Acute Appendicitis Remains a Great Mimicker – The Pitfalls in the Differential Diagnosis and Tactics - A Case Report

2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 54-58
Author(s):  
Georgi I. Popivanov ◽  
Marina N. Konaktchieva ◽  
Vladimir V. Vasilev ◽  
Kirien Ts. Kjossev ◽  
Marin B. Penkov ◽  
...  

Summary Acute appendicitis (AA) is the most common non-traumatic abdominal emergency. Despite the improved knowledge, experience, and technological advance, its diagnosis remains a challenge. Herein we report an example of a difficult diagnosis of acute appendicitis and comment on the possible pitfalls in the differential diagnosis and surgical tactics. We present the case of a 41-year-old man who had been admitted to another hospital with an initial diagnosis of acute appendicitis and changed to Crohn’s disease (CD). Because of a pelvic abscess, percutaneous drainage had been performed. Thrombosis of the right femoral vein had been diagnosed and treated accordingly. In an improved condition, he was referred for elective operation with a final diagnosis of neuroendocrine tumour based on cytology. At laparotomy, the appendix was found densely adherent to the right external iliac vein with a well-demarcated tumour (1 cm) at the base. Appendectomy with partial resection of the caecum with a linear stapler was performed. The histological examination revealed acute to chronic appendicitis with lymphoid follicle hyperplasia at the base. The case illustrates the necessity for broad differential diagnosis in AA and the possibility of severe vascular complications in complicated AA. Taking a detailed history and CT are of paramount importance for an accurate preoperative diagnosis, especially of CD. All emergency surgeons should also be familiar with the scenario of unexpected findings at laparotomy, especially with the management of CD and the algorithms for treatment of appendiceal malignancies. The mini-invasive drainage of right iliac fossa abscess allows for optimizing the patient’s condition and may help to avoid unnecessary extensive resections.

2019 ◽  
pp. 1-3
Author(s):  
A. R Jaswanthini

INTRODUCTION: Appendix in a nger like projection situated just near the caecum. It is located in the right iliac fossa of the abdomen. The most common pathology which arises is appendicitis and is mostly treated surgically. Although appendix is considered to be a vestigial organ, it accounts for immune function upto some extent. OBJECTIVES: To study and analyse the various histopathological forms of appendicitis MATERIALS AND METHODOLOGY: A descriptive study was undertaken to analyse the different histopathological forms of appendicitis over a period of one year in the Department of Pathology, Government Medical College, Omandurar Government Estate. The acquired data was fed into Microsoft Excel and analysis was done. RESULT: A total of 100 specimens were analysed during the study period. Maximum number of cases (62% of cases) were reported amongst females. The most common age group which was affected was 9 years to 19 years. The most common histopathological form of appendicitis was analysed to be acute appendicitis (76% of cases) The statistical data for various histo pathological types of appendicitis are as follows Subacute appendicitis – 10 cases ; Acute appendicitis – 76 cases ; Chronic appendicitis – 13 cases ; Granulomatous appendicitis – 1 case. CONCLUSION: The incidence of appendicitis is higher in the second decade of life and is remarkably high amongst females. Among the pathological types, incidence of acute appendicitis is the highest and that is seen in the second decade of life


2019 ◽  
Vol 2019 ◽  
pp. 1-3 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tallat Ejaz ◽  
Eltaib Saad ◽  
Andik Nabil ◽  
James Slattery

A 46-year-old female presented to our emergency department (ED) with a 2-day history of right lower abdominal pain which was associated with nausea and anorexia. Abdominal examination revealed tenderness in the right iliac fossa (RIF) with rebound tenderness and a localized guarding. Urine dipstick was normal, and the pregnancy test was negative. Her laboratory investigations were significant only for a CRP of 16.6. A presumptive clinical diagnosis of acute appendicitis was suggested based on the given history and relevant physical signs. However, an abdominal computed tomography (CT) scan revealed an epiploic appendagitis of the caecum with a normal-looking appendix. She was managed conservatively and responded well and was discharged after 2 days in good health. Though being a relatively rare case of acute localized right-sided lower abdominal pain, caecal epiploic appendagitis should be considered as one of the differential diagnoses with the final diagnosis reached usually by the radiological findings due to the nonspecific nature of clinical and laboratory features.


2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-3
Author(s):  
Marie Burgard ◽  
Floryn Cherbanyk ◽  
François Pugin ◽  
Bernhard Egger

Symptomatic Meckel’s diverticulum is rare in adults. The most frequent complications are intestinal obstruction and diverticulitis. Diagnosis of Meckel’s diverticulitis can be challenging due to nonspecific clinical manifestation of pain in the right lower abdominal quadrant, mimicking acute appendicitis. If associated with congenital malformation, such as intestinal malrotation, the anomalous anatomy makes the diagnosis even more challenging. In such cases, radiological imaging is essential to guide further management. We present a case of Meckel’s diverticulitis in which physicians were initially misguided because of the atypical clinical presentation. Yet, anamnestic details directed to a potential underlying malformation, leading to supplementary radiological examination and the final diagnosis.


2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 19-23
Author(s):  
Orelvis Rodríguez Palmero ◽  
Liseidy Ordaz Marin ◽  
María Del Rosario Herrera Velázquez ◽  
Agustín Marcos García Andrade

Present the case of a 66-year-old male patient, with a history of right inguinal hernia, who was referred to the emergency room at the IESS de Chone Basic Hospital in the north of the Manabí province, Ecuador, with symptoms of Abdominal pain of more than 24 hours of evolution located in the right iliac fossa and inguinal region on the same side, in the physical examination the hernia was impossible to reduce, so he was taken to the operating room, in the intervention the cecal appendix was found swollen within the hernial sac, a condition known as Amyand's hernia.


PEDIATRICS ◽  
1969 ◽  
Vol 43 (4) ◽  
pp. 573-577
Author(s):  
Jer-Shoung Lin ◽  
Ramon Rodriguez-Torres

Clinical and laboratory data on five patients with appendectomy, later proved to have acute rheumatic fever, are presented in detail. The findings indicate that abdominal pain simulating acute appendicitis can be presented as the only initial symptom in acute rheumatic fever. Awareness and knowledge of the presence of clues-high fever, rapid sedimentation rate, prolonged P-R interval, and 4 plus C-reactive protein-usually help to make the differential diagnosis. However, if doubt remains, the right approach is to go ahead with surgery since these patients tolerate anesthesia and laparotomy very well.


1970 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 104-107 ◽  
Author(s):  
N Subedi ◽  
US Dangol ◽  
MB Adhikary ◽  
S Pudasaini ◽  
R Baral

Background: Acute appendicitis is the most common surgical emergency. Obstruction of the lumen by fecolith is the usual cause of acute appendicitis.The aim of the study was to analyze clinical presentation of acute appendicitis and its histopathological correlation. Materials and Methods: A retrospective study of acute appendicitis was done in the Department of Surgery of Helping Hands Community Hospital from January 2009 to December 2010. Three hundred forty five patients out of 415 patients with clinical diagnosis of appendicitis underwent operative treatment. The histopathological reports were reviewed and correlated with clinical diagnosis. Results: Out of 345 patients who underwent operative procedure 98% (n= 338) came with chief complaint of pain in the periumbilical region migrating to the right iliac fossa. The mean age of presentation was 42 years. Increased leucocyte count was seen in only 65% cases. Acute appendicitis was more commonly seen in male patients (214 cases, 62%). The most common per operative finding was acutely inflammed appendix (84%) followed by perforated appendix (7.5%), gangrenous appendix (3.5%) and appendicular lump (1.5%). However, histopathological diagnoses were acute appendicitis (91.9%), resolving appendicitis (3.5%), lymphoid hyperplasia (2.6%), mucocele (0.3%) and carcinoid (0.3%). Normal histology was seen in 1.4% cases. Conclusion: Though there are other causes of acute abdomen, acute appendicitis still stands first amongst all the emergencies. Histopathological examination of appendectomy specimen should not be omitted in order to see the incidence negative appendectomy rate and to avoid complications relating to malignant conditions. Keywords: Acute appendicitis; Appendectomy; Appendicular perforation; Histopathology DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/jpn.v1i2.5402 JPN 2011; 1(2): 104-107


1996 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 34-38 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. Labropoulos ◽  
S. K. Volteas ◽  
A. Al Kutoubi ◽  
A. N. Nicolaides ◽  
A. O. Mansfield

Objective: To report a case of an external iliac – common femoral vein aneurysm and review the literature on the subject. Design: Case report. Setting: Academic Vascular Surgery and Radiology Units, St Mary's Hospital, London, UK. Patients, Interventions and Results: The aneurysm occurred in a 34-year-old woman and was diagnosed with venography, duplex scanning and magnetic resonance venography. It underwent acute thrombosis and, as the thrombus was well organized and extensive, thrombectomy was not possible. The patient was treated with standard heparin followed by oral anticoagulants for 5 months. Thirty months after the operation the right calf remains swollen but soft and non-tender and the patient is currently treated with grade II full-length compression stockings. Since there were no findings of vein compression or malignancy it seems that the formation of the aneurysm resulted from a congenital weakness of the venous wall. Conclusions: The most common presentation of these aneurysms is of a mass of the abdomen or the iliac fossa, while thromboembolism is not uncommon. The main causes are arteriovenous (AV) fistula formation and congenital weakness of the vein wall. For the first the preferred treatment is AV fistula ligation while for the rest ligation with or without vein reconstruction has been successfully used.


2020 ◽  
pp. 1-3
Author(s):  
Hamad Almakinzy ◽  
Bandar Idress ◽  
Hamad Almakinzy

Idiopathic Omental Infarct (IOI) is a rare cause of an acute abdomen that arises from an interruption of blood supply to the omentum. Since first case was described by Elitelin 1899, more than 300 cases have been published [1]. It can mimic serious surgical pathology. It occurs in <1% of appendicitis cases [2]. It’s challenge to diagnose, as features may mimic acute appendicitis and therefore in young patients, may only be discovered intra-operative. Here, we present a case of omental infarct in 26-year-old gentleman with no significant medical or surgical background who present with acute onset of right iliac fossa (RIF) pain. Examination revealed tenderness over the right iliac fossa and was having localized rebound. His inflammatory markers were high. He was successfully treated with laparoscopy surgery and he was subsequently discharged the following day.


2019 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 33-36
Author(s):  
Cédric Kwizera ◽  
Benedikt Wagner ◽  
Johannes B. Wagner ◽  
Călin Molnar

Abstract The appendix is a worm-like, blind-ending tube, with its base on the caecum and its tip in multiple locations. Against all odds, it plays a key role in the digestive immune system and appendectomy should therefore be cautiously considered and indicated. We report the case of a 45-year-old male with a known history of Fragile-X syndrome who presented to the emergency department with intense abdominal pain and was suspected of acute appendicitis, after a positive Dieulafoy’s triad was confirmed. The laparoscopic exploration showed no signs of inflammation of the appendix; nonetheless, its removal was carried out. Rising inflammatory laboratory parameters led to a focused identification of a pleural empyema due to a tooth inlay aspiration. Our objective is to emphasize the importance of a thorough anamnesis, even in cases of mentally impaired patients, as well as to highlight a rare differential diagnosis for appendicitis. Acute appendicitis is an emergency condition that requires a thorough assessment and appropriate therapy. Clinical examinations are important, but in this particular case, imaging methods had a much more important role in establishing the right treatment approach. Furthermore, the signs of acute appendicitis are mimicked by several medical conditions including respiratory tract infections.


2021 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rubén Peña ◽  
Sergio Valverde ◽  
José A. Alcázar ◽  
Paloma Cebrián ◽  
José Ramón González-Porras ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Abdominal aortic aneurysm and acute appendicitis occur relatively frequently in elderly patients. However, the co-occurrence of the two pathologies is very rare and serious. Case presentation We present the case of an elderly Caucasian patient who was aware of having an abdominal aortic aneurysm but refused treatment and was subsequently admitted to the hospital’s emergency department with acute abdominal symptoms. A computed tomography scan raised the possibility of complication due to the characteristics of the aneurysm. The patient then agreed to emergency surgery. Laparotomy revealed the existence of an acute perforated appendicitis with a significant abscess in the right iliac fossa and an uncomplicated aneurysm. Appendectomy was performed and the abscess drained. The postoperative period passed without complications, and the patient again refused surgery for the aneurysm, which due to its anatomical characteristics was not a candidate for standard endovascular treatment. Conclusions In light of this experience, we review the literature about the relationship between abdominal aortic aneurysm and acute appendicitis.


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