title: Diverticular abscess presenting as prostate abscess and missed by abdominal CT scan.
abstract: This is a case report of sigmoid diverticular abscess presenting as prostate abscess. Helical computed tomography (CT) scan revealed the prostate abscess but failed to demonstrate the underlying diverticular abscess. Colonic diverticular abscess can have many unusual presentations, and multiple imaging modalities may be required to reveal the underlying pathology. Abdominal CT scan is not always a definitive and absolute imaging modality for abdominal pain evaluation and cannot supplant clinical judgment in the evaluation of confusing cases.
authors.affiliation: Department of Emergency Medicine, Hazel Hawkins Memorial Hospital, Hollister, California, USA.
authors.forename: R Giuseppi
authors.initials: RG
authors.lastname: Slater
mesh_terms: D015746:Abdominal Pain / Q000209:etiology; D000038:Abscess / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000209:etiology*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D003951:Diagnostic Errors; D004238:Diverticulitis / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011469:Prostatic Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D011860:Radiography, Abdominal; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed