title: Epiploic appendagitis and omental infarction: pitfalls and look-alikes.
abstract: Epiploic appendagitis and omental infarction are benign self-limiting conditions that are more frequent than generally assumed. Both disorders frequently mimic symptoms of an abdominal surgical emergency, often leading to clinical misdiagnosis of appendicitis or diverticulitis. Because a misdiagnosis can result in an unnecessary laparotomy, a correct diagnosis is of great importance. Ultrasound and computed tomography can be used to make a reliable diagnosis. This pictorial essay illustrates the various ultrasonographic and computed tomographic appearances of epiploic appendagitis and omental infarction and focuses on their radiologic differential diagnoses and pitfalls.
authors.affiliation: Department of Diagnostic Radiology, MCH Westeinde Hospital, Lijnbaan 32, P. O. Box 432, NL-2501 CK, The Hague, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: A C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: van Breda Vriesman
authors.forename: J B C M
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Puylaert
mesh_terms: D001064:Appendicitis / Q000175:diagnosis; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006801:Humans; D009852:Omentum / Q000473:pathology*; D010532:Peritoneal Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D014463:Ultrasonography