Acute Epiploic Appendicitis: A Diagnostic Dilemma

Primary epiploic appendicitis, also called appendicitis epiploica, is a rare condition characterized by inflammation of subserosal colonic adipose tissue. Patients with this condition usually present with complaints of sudden onset focal abdominal pain. No specific symptom or pathognomonic physical examination finding differentiates this condition from other acute abdominal pain etiologies. Patients are usually thought to have diverticulitis or appendicitis on initial evaluation. Use of contrast enhanced abdominal computed tomography on patients presenting with acute abdominal pain may reduce unnecessary surgery, hospitalization and health-associated costs by establishing a definite diagnosis, including rare causes of acute abdomen.