Epiploic appendagitis: a new diagnosis for the emergency physician. Two case reports and a review

Abstract

Two cases of epiploic appendagitis are presented. One was mistaken for acute appendicitis, the other for acute diverticulitis. In both cases, the correct diagnosis was made in the operating suite. With the aid of contemporary imaging modalities, however, the diagnosis of epiploic appendagitis need no longer hinge on the pathologic specimen but may be established by the emergency physician. As this disorder recently has been demonstrated to be predominantly self-limited, laparotomy no longer is considered necessary. Conservative management has been shown to be safe. The anatomy, pathophysiology, clinical presentation, radiologic evaluation, and emergency management of epiploic appendagitis are reviewed.