Acute epiploic appendagitis: ultrasound and computed tomography findings of a rare case of acute abdominal pain and the role of other imaging techniques
Piero Trovato, Igino Simonetti, Francesco Verde, Pascal Lomoro, Giorgia Vinci, Luca Tarotto, Fabio Corvino, Antonio Corvino
Abstract
PURPOSE: Acute epiploic appendagitis (EA) is a relatively rare, benign and local inflammatory disease involving the epiploic appendices. Unlike its mimics, EA is generally a self-limiting inflammatory disease and can be treated conservatively. CASE PRESENTATION: A 33-year-old Caucasian man presented to our emergency department with a sever and sharp left iliac fossa pain. He underwent abdominal X-ray, ultrasound (US) and computed tomography (CT) evaluations. CONCLUSION: We illustrate US and CT findings to increase the radiologists' awareness of this condition and to avoid diagnostic delay and unnecessary use of antibiotics, hospitalization and surgery.