Epiploic Appendagitis as a Rare Cause of Acute Abdomen in the Pediatric Population: Report of Three Cases

Abstract

Epiploic appendagitis, caused by inflammation of small adipose tissue on the colon wall, is a rare cause of acute abdominal pain in the pediatric population. It is nearly impossible to establish a specific diagnosis merely on the basis of clinical findings; thus, radiological evaluation is always necessary. In this report, we present the cases of three children with abdominal pain who were diagnosed with epiploic appendagitis. All cases were successfully treated with conservative management.

Epiploic appendagitis diagnosis linked to intestinal symptoms: Case reports

“…Epiploic appendices are small pouches filled with projection-like fat structures adjacent to the antimesenteric side of the colon wall. The appendices range from 0.5 to 5 cm and provide vascularization from small arterioles 1 . Epiploic appendagitis will be referred to hereafter as appendagitis.…”

“…Ischemia, in turn, causes localized sharp abdominal pain, especially on the lower left abdomen quadrant (in 76% of cases) 2,3 . Appendagitis mostly affects male patients in their 40s to 50s 1,3 . In the case of appendagitis, it is often overlooked or misdiagnosed since the acute lower abdominal pain symptoms associated with it can mimic diverticulitis and appendicitis.…”