[Epiploic appendagitis: sonographic findings in 28 cases].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the sonographic signs of epiploic appendagitis in a larger number of patients and to add new details.


METHODS
Over a period of approximately 8 years 28 patients were sonographically diagnosed to have epiploic appendagitis. The following sonographic signs were investigated: echogenicity of the lesion; compressibility; shape of the lesion; adherence to the anterior abdominal wall; peripheral rim; central hypoechoic line; thickening of the colonic wall. In 11 of these patients colour Doppler sonography was performed. In addition all 28 patients underwent CT.


RESULTS
In 28/28 cases (100 %) a moderately hyperechoic, ovoid, non-compressible mass adjacent to the colon was demonstrated. The mass was surrounded by a hypoechoic rim in 20 cases (71 %) and was fixed to the abdominal wall in 26/28 cases (93 %). Five cases (18 %) revealed a central hypoechoic line, and slight thickening of the colonic wall was visible in 2 cases (7 %). In those cases where colour Doppler sonography was performed, colour flow was absent in the central part of the lesion. In the peripheral zone slightly increased colour flow was demonstrable in 9/11 cases.


CONCLUSIONS
Epiploic appendagitis has a characteristic sonographic appearance with a moderately hyperechoic, ovoid, non-compressible lesion adjacent to the colon and adherent to the abdominal wall. The mass is frequently surrounded by a hypoechoic rim. Colour Doppler sonography shows a central avascular area and slightly increased colour flow in the peripheral zone.
Hollerweger
A
A
Abteilung für Radiologie und Nuklearmedizin, KH Barmherzige Brüder, Salzburg, Germany. alois.hollerweger@bbsalz.at
Macheiner
P
P
Hübner
E
E
Rettenbacher
T
T
Gritzmann
N
N
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001064:Appendicitis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D003106:Colon / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D005260:Female; D005767:Gastrointestinal Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014463:Ultrasonography