Small bowel obstruction secondary to an appendiceal tourniquet

Abstract

Background: An 83-year-old lady was admitted with a 3-day history of non-specific abdominal pain that had rapidly increased in severity on the day of admission necessitating an emergency laparotomy. Intra-operative findings demonstrated a mechanical small bowel obstruction secondary to a chronically inflamed appendix acting as a tourniquet around a loop of terminal ileum.

Learning point: This case highlights an extremely rare and life-threatening complication of appendicitis.

Literature review: True mechanical small bowel obstruction secondary to an acutely or chronically inflamed appendix encircling the distal small bowel remains extremely rare with only ten cases reported in the literature.

Conclusion: Clinical assessment remains paramount in the treatment of these patients to facilitate prompt diagnosis and treatment which is vital to provide an optimal platform for post-operative recovery and survival. Although CT imaging is a highly effective investigative modality in these cases, operative treatment should not be delayed for a radiological investigation in the presence of abdominal peritonism.