The myth of the fecalith.
A radiographically demonstrated fecalith is widely considered a virtually pathognomonic sign of acute appendicitis. This case report describes a patient with a clinical presentation suggestive of appendicitis and a well-defined right lower quadrant fecalith who was found to have a normal appendix at surgery. This case calls into question the venerable dogma surrounding the fecalith and highlights the necessity for the physician to continue to rely on clinical judgment in making the diagnosis of appendicitis.
Maenza
R L
RL
University of Pittsburgh Affiliated Residency in Emergency Medicine, Pennsylvania, USA.
Smith
L
L
Wolfson
A B
AB
D000368:Aged; D001064:Appendicitis / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis*; D003951:Diagnostic Errors; D004630:Emergencies; D005244:Fecal Impaction / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011859:Radiography