The ectopic appendicolith from perforated appendicitis as a cause of tubo-ovarian abscess

Abstract

Acute appendicitis is a common surgical cause of abdominal pain in the pediatric population. History and physical examination are atypical in up to a third of patients. Known potential complications of untreated or delayed management of acute appendicitis include appendiceal perforation, periappendiceal abscess formation, peritonitis, bowel obstruction and rarely septic thrombosis of mesenteric vessels. We report an unusual complication of perforated appendicitis. A tubo-ovarian abscess developed secondary to appendicolith migration into the right fallopian tube in a patient who had undergone interval laparoscopic appendectomy for perforated appendicitis. The retained appendicolith was visualized within the obstructed and dilated fallopian tube on contrast-enhanced CT. We discuss the CT imaging features of this unusual complication of perforated appendicitis.