Primary epiploic appendagitis and successful outpatient management.
BACKGROUND
Primary epiploic appendagitis (PEA) is a rare cause of abdominal acute or subacute complaints. Diagnosis of PEA is made with ultrasonography (US) or when computed tomography (CT) reveals a characteristic lesion.


METHODS
We report on two patients with PEA. In one patient PEA was first seen with US and confirmed with contrast enhanced CT, and in the second patient CT without contrast enhancement demonstrated PEA. In both patients an outpatient recovery with conservative non-surgical treatment is described.


CONCLUSIONS
Medical personnel should be aware of this rare disease, which mimics many other intra-abdominal acute and subacute conditions. A correct diagnosis of PEA with imaging procedures enables conservative and successful outpatient management avoiding unnecessary surgical intervention and additional costs.
Department of Internal Medicine, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria. w.schnedl@dr-schnedl.at
Wolfgang J
WJ
Schnedl
Robert
R
Krause
Sandra J
SJ
Wallner-Liebmann
Erwin
E
Tafeit
Harald
H
Mangge
Manfred
M
Tillich
D000006:Abdomen, Acute / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology* / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010045:Outpatients; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014463:Ultrasonography