Multislice computed tomography evaluation of primary abdominal fat necrosis: a rare cause of acute abdominal pain

Acute epiploic appendagitis: ultrasound and computed tomography findings of a rare case of acute abdominal pain and the role of other imaging techniques

Purpose

Acute epiploic appendagitis (EA) is a relatively rare, benign and local inflammatory disease involving the epiploic appendices. Unlike its mimics, EA is generally a self-limiting inflammatory disease and can be treated conservatively.

Case presentation

A 33-year-old Caucasian man presented to our emergency department with a sever and sharp left iliac fossa pain. He underwent abdominal X-ray, ultrasound (US) and computed tomography (CT) evaluations.

Conclusion

We illustrate US and CT findings to increase the radiologists’ awareness of this condition and to avoid diagnostic delay and unnecessary use of antibiotics, hospitalization and surgery.