Epiploic appendagitis - a rare cause of acute lower abdominal pain

Abstract

Epiploic appendagitis is a rare cause of acute to subacute lower quadrant abdominal pain. It has 2 subtypes: primary and secondary Epiploic appendagitis. Primary epiploic appendagitis is characterized by inflammation of the epiploic appendages caused by torsion or thrombosis of the draining vein of the appendage whereas secondary Epiploic appendagitis may occur in association with other inflammatory etiologies in the abdomen and pelvis. Due to its similarity to other causes of acute abdomen, patients with primary epiploic appendagitis often undergo unnecessary treatment with antibiotics and surgical intervention. We present a case of a middle-aged male who was diagnosed with primary epiploic appendagitis based on imaging studies and was successfully managed with conservative treatment.