Published in:
Open Access
01-12-2008 | Review
Simultaneous idiopathic segmental infarction of the great omentum and acute appendicitis: a rare association
Authors:
Luigi Battaglia, Filiberto Belli, Alberto Vannelli, Giuliano Bonfanti, Gianfrancesco Gallino, Elia Poiasina, Mario Rampa, Marco Vitellaro, Ermanno Leo
Published in:
World Journal of Emergency Surgery
|
Issue 1/2008
Login to get access
Abstract
Idiopathic segmental infarction of the greater omentum is an uncommon cause of acute abdomen. The etiology is still unclear and the symptoms mimic acute appendicitis. Its presentation simultaneously with acute appendicitis is still more infrequent. We present a case of a 47-year old woman without significant previous medical history, admitted with an acute abdomen, in which the clinical diagnosis was acute appendicitis and in whom an infarcted segment of right side of the greater omentum was also found at laparotomy. As the etiology is unknown, we highlighted some of the possible theories, and emphasize the importance of omental infarction even in the presence of acute appendicitis as a coincident intraperitoneal pathological condition.