Evaluating the Patient with Right Lower Quadrant Pain

Abstract

Right lower quadrant pain is one of the most common indications for imaging evaluation of the abdomen in the emergency department setting. This article reviews important imaging findings associated with acute appendicitis as well as major differential considerations including: mesenteric adenitis, Meckel diverticulum, neutropenic colitis, right-sided diverticulitis, epiploic appendagitis, omental infarction, and inflammatory bowel diseaseRight lower quadrant pain is one of the most common indications for imaging evaluation of the abdomen in the emergency department setting. This article reviews important imaging findings associated with acute appendicitis as well as major differential considerations including: mesenteric adenitis, Meckel diverticulum, neutropenic colitis, right-sided diverticulitis, epiploic appendagitis, omental infarction, and inflammatory bowel disease.

Keywords: Abdominal pain; Appendicitis; Diverticulitis; Epiploic appendagitis; Inflammatory bowel disease; Meckel’s diverticulum; Neutropenic colitis; Omental infarct.