Ultrasound Diagnosis of Primary Epiploic Appendagitis: A Case Report

Abstract

A rare differential diagnosis for severe abdominal pain is acute epiploic appendagitis. Its symptoms resemble those of acute diverticulitis, acute appendicitis, or omental infarction quite a bit. The primary imaging method used for diagnosis is computed tomography (CT). We are describing the case of a 27-year-old guy who underwent an abdominal ultrasonography after complaining of severe left lower quadrant abdominal pain. It identified an oval and non-compressible hyperechoic mass in the left iliac fossa. The mass was surrounded by a hypoechoic rim and there was no color Doppler signal. In the absence of CT, radiologists must be able to diagnose acute epiploic appendagitis on ultrasound in order to avoid unnecessary hospital admission, pricey laboratory tests, antibiotic treatment, and unnecessary surgery. In this instance, the patient was spared from ionization exposure from a potential CT scan and other invasive treatments including surgery with associated costs because of the reliable ultrasound diagnosis of epiploic appendagitis. After receiving conservative medical treatment, the patient was placed under surveillance and then discharged.