Atypical presentation acute appendicitis, a diagnostic challenge. Case report and literature review

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Atypical appendicitis corresponds to approximately 39.3% of all appendicitis cases. Typically located appendicitis begins with acute pain around the belly button, which will later migrate to the right iliac fossa; however, the patient’s condition must be oriented in details that arise from a meticulous anamnesis, considering the patients history and the development of the symptoms. CASE REPORTS: 17-year-old male patient with history of right hepatectomy 15 years ago. He presented with five day evolution continuous abdominal pain, located in the right upper quadrant, nausea, vomiting and fever. Complementary laboratory tests evidenced: leukocytosis, neutrophilia, elevated procalcitonin and CRP. Tomography was suggestive of an inflammatory process in the lower right thoracic region and the right upper quadrant. A diagnostic laparoscopy was performed, it was converted into an exploratory laparotomy, showing purulent fluid in the right parietocolic gutter, adhesions, appendicular plastron in the right sub and retrohepatic region formed by the cecum, distal ileum, omentum and appendix. Retrohepatic appendix with perforation in the middle third, appendicular base and poor quality cecum. An appendectomy, cavity lavage was performed, with placement of a drain. EVOLUTION: During the postoperative period, the patient had a poor clinical evolution, with health care associated pneumonia, in addition to the need for a second surgical intervention due to the formation of a sub-hepatic collection. After 13 days of hospital care, after the second surgical intervention, he presented an adequate recovery and was discharged from the hospital. CONCLUSION: Physicians must have a high clinical suspicion of atypical location appendicitis in the presence of acute abdomen; since a late diagnosis of this cases increases the risk of complications, with perforation and peritonitis and prolonged hospital stay. The first-line treatment for complicated appendicitis is surgical intervention.