title: Acute epiploic appendagitis: Radiologic and clinical features of 12 patients.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this work is to explain the clinical features and the imaging findings of primitive epiploic appendagitis in 12 patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twelve patients were examined in 2 University hospitals between January 2011 and June 2016. Their medical charts have been reviewed. Nine patients have undergone enhanced CT examination and only two among them, have had at first an abdominal ultrasound.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The age ranged between 36 and 65 years old. All the patients consulted for an acute abdominal pain in most of the cases in the left iliac fossa with no elevated body temperature nor a significant elevation of the inflammation markers. Ultrasound features showed a hyper-echoic mass surrounded by a hypo-echoic peripheral ring. CT scan images showed a fat ovoid lesion that corresponds to the inflamed Appendix epiploica with a peripheral hyper-attenuating rim and in some cases the central "dot sign" referring to the thrombosed vessel. Only 4 patients underwent surgery.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  For its non-specific clinical presentation, that can mimic other surgical affections, and its rather non-operative treatment, the diagnosis of epiploic appendagitis is crucial. Ultrasound and especially CT scan imaging are necessary for an accurate diagnosis.
authors.affiliation: Radiology department, University Hospital Mongi Slim, Tunisia.
authors.forename: Dali
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Nadida
authors.affiliation: Radiology department, University Hospital Mongi Slim, Tunisia.
authors.forename: Ali
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Amal
authors.affiliation: Radiology department, University Hospital Mongi Slim, Tunisia. Electronic address: Marzouk.ines@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Marzouk
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ines
authors.affiliation: Surgery Department, Univeristy Hospital Bizerta, Tunisia.
authors.forename: Moussa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Makram
authors.affiliation: Radiology department, University Hospital Mongi Slim, Tunisia.
authors.forename: Manamani
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Amira
authors.affiliation: Radiology department, University Hospital Mongi Slim, Tunisia.
authors.forename: Ben Farhat
authors.initials: BF
authors.lastname: Leila
authors.affiliation: Radiology department, University Hospital Mongi Slim, Tunisia.
authors.forename: Hendaoui
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Lotfi
keywords: Acute abdomen; Computed tomography; Diagnosis; Management; Ultrasonography