• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
• /
• v.17 no.4
• /
• pp.263-265
• /
• 2014

Epiploic appendagitis is an inflammation of the epiploic appendage in which the small sacs projecting from the serosal layer of the colon are positioned longitudinally from the caecum to the rectosigmoid area. Epiploic appendagitis is rare and self-limiting; however, it can cause sudden abdominal pain in children. Epiploic appendagitis does not typically accompany other gastrointestinal diseases. Here, we report on a healthy eight-year-old girl who presented with abdominal pain, fever, vomiting, and diarrhea. Based on these symptoms, she was diagnosed with acute gastroenteritis, but epiploic appendagitis in the ascending colon was revealed in contrast computed tomography (CT). The patient was treated successfully with conservative management. CT is beneficial in diagnosis and further assessment of epiploic appendagitis. Pediatricians need to be aware of this self-limiting disease and consider it as a possible alternate diagnosis in cases of acute abdominal pain.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
• /
• v.45 no.8
• /
• pp.1024-1027
• /
• 2002

Epiploic appendages are small, 0.5-5 cm long, peritoneal pouches containing small vessels and fat, located on the serous surface of the colon, from the cecum to the rectosigmoid junction. Pathologic states are rare in these appendages, the most frequent being is infarction either due to torsion or spontaneous. As a result of subsequent inflammatory reaction, the condition has been termed primary epiploic appendagitis. The condition is manifested by localized abdominal pain, which is often mistaken for appendicitis or diverticulitis and is usually diagnosed at surgery. With the aid of comtemporary imaging modalities, however, the diagnosis of epiploic appendagitis need no longer hinge on the pathologic specimen but may be established by the clinician. As this disorder recently has been demonstrated to be predominantly self-limited, laparotomy is no longer considered necessary. Conservative management has been shown to be safe. We report a 5-year-old male patient with epiploic appendagitis who presented with acute abdominal pain.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
• /
• v.9 no.1
• /
• pp.98-102
• /
• 2006

An inflammation of an epiploic appendage is a relatively rare cause of acute abdominal pain. It can be clinically misdiagnosed as either acute appendicitis or diverticulitis. Judicious interpretation of imaging with ultrasound or computed tomography may lead to an early diagnosis and prevent unnecessary surgical or medical treatment. Conservative treatment of symptoms is usually sufficient. We have experienced a case of epiploic appendagitis treated by conservative management and report this case with the review of the literature.