title: Appendiceal abscess masquerading as acute urinary retention in children.
abstract: Two boys with acute urinary retention were found to have a persistent pelvic mass after bladder decompression. Evaluation in each disclosed a large pelvic abscess secondary to a ruptured appendix. The diagnosis of appendicitis may be difficult and appendiceal abscess presenting with acute urinary retention in children has been reported previously in only 7 instances. History, physical examination, laboratory studies, and radiographic and ultrasonic evaluations should lead to the correct diagnosis, and surgical intervention restores normal voiding.
mesh_terms: D000038:Abscess / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D000208:Acute Disease; D000293:Adolescent; D001065:Appendix / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D002429:Cecal Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011859:Radiography; D014463:Ultrasonography; D014555:Urination Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology