Epiploic Appendagitis: An Important Differential Diagnosis

Abstract

Epiploic appendagitis is a rare, often misdiagnosed condition that causes acute abdominal pain. The symptoms, such as localized pain that worsens with coughing and stretching, mimic other conditions like appendicitis and diverticulitis. Diagnosis can be made using computed tomography (CT) scans, which show characteristic signs, such as a 2-3 cm fat-density ring, colon wall thickening, and nearby fluid or inflammation. The condition usually resolves naturally or can be treated with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). In this report, a case of a 37-year-old man diagnosed with epiploic appendagitis in the Emergency Department (ED) is presented.