Primary epiploic appendagitis: clinical, US, and CT findings in 14 cases

Abstract

Purpose: To describe the appearance at ultrasonography (US) of primary epiploic appendagitis in correlation with computed tomographic (CT) findings.

Materials and methods: From January 1992 through June 1993, clinical, US, and CT findings were reviewed in 14 patients with primary epiploic appendagitis (seven men and seven women, aged 25-51 years [mean, 39 years 3 months]). Follow-up examinations were performed with US alone (n = 4), with US and CT (n = 3), and with clinical examination (n = 14). Surgery was performed in two patients. The main symptoms were right (n = 3) or left (n = 11) flank pain.

Results: US revealed an echogenic mass that was small, ovoid, and noncompressible, located anterolateral to the right colon (n = 3), anterior or anterolateral to the left colon (n = 10), and anteromedial to the left colon (n = 1). CT helped confirm the presence of a fatty lesion in each patient without other inflammatory process in the abdomen. Symptoms resolved within 7 days in 12 patients.

Conclusion: Primary epiploic appendagitis has fairly characteristic US and CT features that enable a rapid diagnosis.