Acute appendiceal diverticulitis diagnosed in the postoperative context of appendectomy

Authors

  • Sofia M. Frade Department of General Surgery, Centro Hospitalar Universitário de Lisboa Central, Lisbon, Portugal http://orcid.org/0000-0002-0704-1142
  • Ana K. Andrade Department of General Surgery, Centro Hospitalar Universitário de Lisboa Central, Lisbon, Portugal
  • João S. Pimentel Department of Anatomical Pathology, Centro Hospitalar Universitário de Lisboa Central, Lisbon, Portugal
  • Luis M. Moniz Department of General Surgery, Centro Hospitalar Universitário de Lisboa Central, Lisbon, Portugal
  • Helder J. Viegas Department of General Surgery, Centro Hospitalar Universitário de Lisboa Central, Lisbon, Portugal

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18203/2349-2902.isj20210493

Keywords:

Appendiceal diverticulitis, Appendix, Appendectomy

Abstract

Acute appendiceal diverticulitis is a rare cause of acute abdomen that is commonly interpreted as acute appendicitis until definitive histological result. We herein present two cases of patients of distinct age groups and gender who presented to the emergency department with right lower quadrant abdominal pain. Laboratory and imaging studies led to the diagnosis of acute appendicitis. In both cases, intraoperative findings were compatible with the initial diagnosis and therefore appendectomy was performed. Later pathological exam showed diverticulitis of the vermiform appendix. Although appendiceal diverticulitis is associated with a higher risk of perforation and neoplasms, both patients had linear postoperative period, without complications or dysplastic findings. Despite its similarities to the acute appendicitis, appendiceal diverticulitis presents itself as a distinct entity and should be suspected in patients with right lower abdominal pain in older age and with longer duration of symptoms.

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Published

2021-02-25

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Section

Case Reports