Appendicular involvement in perforated sigmoid disease: US and CT findings

• Published in: European radiology Vol. 9; no. 4; pp. 697 - 700
• Main Authors: Ripollés, T, Concepción, L, Martínez-Pérez, M J, Morote, V
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Germany Springer Nature B.V 01.01.1999
• Subjects: Adenocarcinoma - complications; Adenocarcinoma - diagnosis; Adenocarcinoma - surgery; Adult; Aged; Appendectomy; Appendicitis - diagnosis; Appendicitis - etiology; Appendicitis - surgery; Diagnosis, Differential; Diverticulitis, Colonic - complications; Diverticulitis, Colonic - diagnosis; Diverticulitis, Colonic - surgery; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Humans; Male; Rupture, Spontaneous - complications; Rupture, Spontaneous - diagnosis; Rupture, Spontaneous - surgery; Sigmoid Neoplasms - complications; Sigmoid Neoplasms - diagnosis; Sigmoid Neoplasms - surgery; Tomography, X-Ray Computed; Ultrasonography
• ISSN: 0938-7994; 1432-1084
• DOI: 10.1007/s003300050735

We describe four patients in whom ultrasound (US) and/or computed tomography (CT) demonstrated a thickened appendix, secondarily enlarged due to perforated sigmoid diverticulitis (n = 2) or carcinoma (n = 2). The underlying pathology was correctly recognized in all cases. Secondary thickening of the appendix due to perforated sigmoid disease provides a potential pitfall mainly on US and may lead to an incorrect diagnosis and thus to unnecessary surgery or a wrong surgical intervention. Although US alone is enough to diagnose periappendicitis and sigmoid disease, combined use of US and CT may improve assessment of its origin and extension.