title: Sonographically detected free appendicolith as a sign of retrocecal perforated appendicitis in a 2-year-old child.
abstract: Prompt and accurate diagnosis of perforated appendicitis is crucial for proper and timely treatment. The appendix, however, cannot always be identified with sonography (US). We report the case of a 2-year-old child with atypical clinical presentation, and US detection of a free appendicolith as a sign of perforated appendicitis, without visualization of the appendix itself. Laparoscopy revealed a retrocecal, gangrenous, perforated appendix with autoamputation, fibrinopurulent peritonitis, and a free appendicolith within the abdominal fluid. US detection of a free appendicolith in a child is a very rare, but unequivocal sign of perforated appendicitis, which should be sought. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Ultrasound 44:395-398, 2016.
authors.affiliation: Radiology Department, Institute for Children and Adolescents Health Care of Vojvodina, Medical Faculty, University of Novi Sad, Hajduk Veljkova 10, 21000, Novi Sad, Serbia.
authors.forename: Jovan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Lovrenski
authors.affiliation: Pediatric Surgery Department, Institute for Children and Adolescents Health Care of Vojvodina, Medical Faculty, University of Novi Sad, Hajduk Veljkova 10, 21000, Novi Sad, Serbia.
authors.forename: Radoica
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Jokić
authors.affiliation: Radiology Department, Institute for Children and Adolescents Health Care of Vojvodina, Medical Faculty, University of Novi Sad, Hajduk Veljkova 10, 21000, Novi Sad, Serbia.
authors.forename: Ivan
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Varga
keywords: free appendicolith; pediatrics; perforated appendicitis; ultrasonography