THE INFLAMMATION OF EPIPLOIC APPENDIX: PRIMARY EPIPLOIC APPENDAGITIS

Epiploic appendices are extensions of omentum which covers most of the colon. Most of the pathologic changes are related with spontaneous torsion or venous thrombosis culminating with inflammation and is referred as primary epiploic appendagitis (PEA). There is no pathognomonic symptom, finding or laboratory test for this relatively rare intra-abdominal inflammation. A non-toxic patient with acute onset localized abdominal pain in the right or left lower quadrant is the typical presentation. Imaging studies such as ultrasound and tomography with the awareness of PEA in differential diagnoses of intra-abdominal pathologies are the key to correct diagnosis. Since the conservative treatment is sufficient in most of cases, accurate and timely diagnosis can ensure the appropriate patient management and can prevent unnecessary hospitalizations and interventions