Epiploic appendagitis: a case report highlighting correlation between clinical features, computed tomography images and laparoscopic findings

Abstract

We present a case of a 72 year old male patient, who presented to the emergency department with a 2 day history of right iliac fossa pain. On examination he was apyrexial and haemodynamically stable, yet displayed signs of right iliac fossa peritonism. Inflammatory markers were mildly raised. Computed tomography and diagnostic laparoscopy both demonstrated typical features of epiploic appendagitis. Epiploic appendagitis is an uncommon cause of the acute abdomen, yet is probably underdiagnosed. The term was first used by Lynn et al. in the mid 1950s. With the increase in CT scanning and diagnostic laparoscopy, we feel that both surgeons and radiologists need to be increasingly aware of the clinical and radiological appearances of epiploic appendagitis.