Primary epiploic appendagitis: an etiology of acute abdominal pain

Abstract

Primary epiploic appendagitis has a nonspecific clinical presentation but pathognomonic appearance on computerized tomography. We report a patient who was promptly diagnosed and treated with conservative management, and review the literature. This entity has not been well described in the general medical literature. Epiploic appendagitis should be considered in the differential diagnosis of atypical presentations of acute abdominal pain. Integration of a patient's history and physical exam with laboratory and computerized tomography findings allows a timely and confident diagnosis. Surgery is not necessary, but close follow-up is required.