Pediatr Gastroenterol Hepatol Nutr.  2014 Dec;17(4):263-265. 10.5223/pghn.2014.17.4.263.

A Case of Epiploic Appendagitis with Acute Gastroenteritis

• Cho MS
• Hwang-Bo S
• Choi UY
• Kim HS
• Hahn SH

• KMID: 2315502
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5223/pghn.2014.17.4.263

Abstract

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.

Keyword

Epiploic appendagitis; Acute gastroenteritis; Child

MeSH Terms

Abdominal Pain
Child
Colon
Colon, Ascending
Diagnosis
Diarrhea
Female
Fever
Gastroenteritis*
Gastrointestinal Diseases
Humans
Inflammation
Vomiting