Prabin Sharma1, Tamta Chkhikvadze2, Pranav Sharma3
1Department of Internal Medicine, Yale New Haven Health, Bridgeport Hospital, Bridgeport, CT 06610, USA.
2Department of Internal Medicine, Bridgeport Hospital, Bridgeport, CT 06610, USA.
3Department of Radiology, Bridgeport Hospital, Bridgeport, CT 06610, USA.
DOI: 10.4103/jnsbm.JNSBM_173_17
ABSTRACT
Epiploic appendagitis (EA) is a rare cause of acute to subacute lower quadrant abdominal pain. It has two subtypes: primary and secondary EA. Primary EA is characterized by inflammation of the epiploic appendages caused by torsion or thrombosis of the draining vein of the appendage whereas secondary EA often occurs in association with other inflammatory processes in the abdomen and pelvis. Due to its similarity to other causes of acute abdomen, patients with primary EA often undergo unnecessary treatment with antibiotics and surgical intervention. We present a case of a middle-aged female who was diagnosed with primary EA based on imaging studies and was successfully managed with conservative treatment.
Keywords: Abdominal pain, Epiploic appendagitis, Mesenteric panniculitis, Sclerosing mesenteritis.