UNUSUAL CAUSES OF THE ACUTE ABDOMINAL PAIN: IMAGING AND CLINICAL FINDINGS

Year 2019, Volume: 10 Issue: 2, 53 - 57, 01.04.2019

Ercan Ayaz Ahmet Aktan Abdullah Alimoğlu İdris Ozdas

https://doi.org/10.33706/jemcr.551138

Abstract

Introduction: Acute abdominal pain is a common complaint of patients in
the emergency department that needs to be evaluated rapidly
and comprehensively. With a wide range of etiologies, acute abdominal
pain is still a major diagnostic challenge in the emergency department.
Radiological imaging is the corner stone of the diagnostic work up along with
clinical and laboratory findings.

Case
report: In
this case report, we present our 4 cases of acute abdominal pain caused by rare
disorders (epiploic appendagitis, omental infarction, mesenteric panniculitis
and cecal diverticulitis) that were initially diagnosed mistakenly based on
clinical findings. These good mimickers masqueraded themselves as common
etiologies of acute abdomen such as acute appendicitis, diverticulitis and
cholecystitis.

Conclusion:  After radiographs, ultrasonography
(US) and computed tomography (CT) are the most common imaging modalities that
are performed in emergency departments for acute abdominal pain. Both US and CT
are highly accurate imaging modalities that commonly reveal the correct
diagnosis. However, rare disorders may not be recognized in the acute setting.
We present our cases with US and CT images to remind radiologists and emergency
physicians of these mimickers of acute abdominal pain in
order to prevent unnecessary surgeries.

Keywords

acute abdominal pain, emergency radiology, cecal diverticulitis, epiploic appendagitis, mesenteric panniculitis

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