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Acute appendicitis

Case contributed by Bálint Botz
Diagnosis certain

Presentation

Right lower quadrant pain, nausea, elevated CRP and leukocytosis. Abdominal ultrasound demonstrated increased echogenicity of the fatty tissue in the ileocecal region, and pelvic free fluid, but could not visualize the appendix. Negative pregnancy test.

Patient Data

Age: 25 years
Gender: Female
ct

The appendix is thickened (see key image), and its wall shows contrast enhancement especially in the distal part. The appendix is arching down deep into the pelvis, explaining why visualization with ultrasound was likely unsuccessful. Surrounding fat stranding an low density periappendicular and pelvic free fluid (key image 2) is observed. A relative increase of the size of the mesenteric lymph nodes is visible in the right lower quadrant. Altogether the findings are in line with the diagnosis of acute appendicitis. The inflamed appendix was successfuly removed laparoscopically. 

Case Discussion

A fairly common case of appendicitis, where despite a seemingly ideal patient anatomy CT was needed to visualize the appendix due to its position. 

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