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Case Reports
. 2011 Mar 30:4:1-4.
doi: 10.4137/CPath.S6757.

Different clinical presentation of appendicolithiasis. The report of three cases and review of the literature

Bulent Kaya  1 , Cengiz Eris
Affiliations
Case Reports

Different clinical presentation of appendicolithiasis. The report of three cases and review of the literature

Bulent Kaya et al. Clin Med Insights Pathol. .

Abstract

An appendicolith is composed of firm feces and some mineral deposits. After increased use of abdominal computed tomography, appendicoliths are more frequently detected. Most of the patients with appendicolith are asymptomatic. However, an appendicolith may be associated with complicated appendicitis with serious outcomes. We reported three patients who exhibited different clinical symptoms due to appendicolithiasis. While one of the patients was confused with urolithiasis, the other two patients presented with phlegmenous and perforated appendicitis. We submit that appendicoliths may present different clinical findings and can mimic several pathologies including urinary disorders.

Keywords: Abdominal pain; appendicitis; appendicolith.

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Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
An opacity (appendicolith) in abdominal x-ray.
Figure 2.
Figure 2.
A huge appendicolith, located in the base of the appendix causing appendicitis.
Figure 3.
Figure 3.
Extracted appendicolith.
Figure 4.
Figure 4.
Phlegmenous appendicitis. Neutrophils are infiltrating mucosa, submucosa and lamina propria (H&E × 200).
Figure 5.
Figure 5.
Gangrenous appendicitis. Ulceration in appendix mucosa and neutrophil infiltration in submucosa and lamina propria (H&E ×100).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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