Pozzo-Salvatierra BL, Kimura-Fujikami K

Language: Spanish
References: 17
Page: 182-188
PDF size: 287.20 Kb.

ABSTRACT

Introduction. Epiploic appendagitis is produced by torsion or thrombosis of the vascular pedicle of an epiploic appendix which results in ischemia and infarction. Clinically, it may simulate acute symptoms of appendicitis or diverticulitis; however, it has self-limited evolution with spontaneous resolution in a period of 5 to 7 days.
Material and methods. Basic knowledge of the anatomy, physiopathology, and clinical characteristics of epiploic appendagitis is reviewed, as well as characteristic signs that are detected by computed tomography and the principal differential diagnoses.
Discussion. Due to the high sensitivity and specificity computed tomography provide in the study of acute abdominal pain, it is the method of choice in diagnosing appendagitis. The principal differential diagnoses of this condition are acute diverticulitis, omental infarction, acute appendicitis, mesenteric panniculitis, and primary or metastatic peritoneal tumors.
Conclusion. Appendagitis is a self-limited condition which may simulate the surgical evolution of acute appendicitis or diverticulitis. Tomography is the method of choice to evaluate this type of patients and it is extremely important that radiologists know with precision the characteristic signs of appendagitis to differentiate it from other conditions and thereby avoid unnecessary invasive procedures.

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