What is appendagitis Epiploica?

Introduction. Epiploic appendagitis is an uncommon clinical entity that is caused by ischemic infarction of an epiploic appendage due to torsion or thrombosis of the central draining vein [1]. The clinical manifestations include acute abdominal pain, most commonly in the left lower quadrant.

What is the cause of epiploic appendagitis?

Primary epiploic appendagitis is caused by torsion or spontaneous venous thrombosis of the involved epiploic appendage. Secondary epiploic appendagitis is associated with inflammation of adjacent organs, such as diverticulitis, appendicitis or cholecystitis.

How long does epiploic appendagitis take to heal?

The inflammation is what creates such an intense and painful feeling in your abdomen. But even if the inflammation is not treated, it may go away. It has been found that epiploic appendagitis will go away on its own within two weeks if untreated.

How common is epiploic appendagitis?

The exact incidence of epiploic appendagitis is unknown and probably underestimated. In the prior literature, reported incidence rates were 2–7% in patients with initial clinical suspicion of acute diverticulitis or appendicitis [3, 8, 9].

Can you get epiploic appendagitis twice?

Epiploic appendagitis (EA) is a rare cause of acute abdominal pain that is usually benign and self-limiting and can be treated conservatively with analgesics and antiinflammatory medications (1–3). Recurrence of EA is rare, and documented cases describe abdominal pain recurring at the same location (3–5).

What does epiploic appendagitis look like?

Epiploic appendagitis is a clinical mimicker of other acute abdomen causes, including acute diverticulitis and appendicitis. Imaging features of epiploic appendagitis include fat-density ovoid lesion, “hyperattenuating ring sign,” mild bowel wall thickening, and “central dot sign.”

Is epiploic appendagitis life threatening?

Individuals with epiploic appendagitis have a relatively positive outlook. Although they may experience intense abdominal pain, this condition is self-limiting and does not usually cause complications.

What should I eat if I have epiploic appendagitis?

There’s no specific diet that someone with epiploic appendagitis should or shouldn’t follow. However, because obesity and eating large meals seem to be risk factors, eating a balanced diet with portion control to maintain a healthy weight may help prevent episodes.

Does epiploic appendagitis need surgery?

Unlike diverticulitis and appendicitis, primary epiploic appendagitis does not require surgery. However, doctors may recommend surgery if a person has secondary epiploic appendagitis due to an inflamed appendix.

What do you need to know about epiploic appendagitis?

Epiploic appendagitis. Epiploic appendagitis is a rare self limiting inflammatory/ischaemic process involving an appendix epiploica of the colon and may either be primary or secondary to adjacent pathology. This article pertains to primary (spontaneous) epiploic appendagitis. The term along with omental infarction is grouped under…

Which is larger acute epiploic appendagitis or omental infarction?

In addition, whereas the central focal lesion in acute epiploic appendagitis is most often less than 5 cm long and is located adjacent to the sigmoid colon, the lesion in omental infarction is larger and most commonly is located next to the cecum or the ascending colon (,Fig 13).

Is the vermiform appendix An infarcted appendage?

Chronically, an infarcted appendage epiploica may calcify and may detach to form an intraperitoneal loose body (peritoneal ‘mice’). It may rarely involve the vermiform appendix epiploic appendages as so called epiploic appendagitis of the vermiform appendix 8, mimicking appendicitis both clinically and potentially on CT.

How big are the epiploic appendages in the colon?

Epiploic appendages are peritoneal outpouchings that arise from the serosal surface of the colon, contain adipose tissue and vessels, and can be up to 5 cm in length. The inflammation of epiploic appendages can be the result of torsion or venous occlusion.