Abstract
Epiploic appendagitis is a rare condition resulting from acute inflammation of an epiploic appendage. This condition occurs usually within the abdominal cavity and is frequently misdiagnosed; as an unexpected hernia content, it is a very rare entity. We herein report the case of a 38-year-old male patient with a known left inguinal hernia who presented acutely with a painful left inguinal mass. Emergent surgical exploration was mandatory to rule out a possible incarcerated bowel loop; it revealed a hernia sac containing a 3 cm thick, swollen, inflamed and incarcerated epiploic appendage of healthy sigmoid colon. The patient recovered after resection of the epiploic appendage and a tension-free hernioplasty.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Ross JA. Vascular loops in the appendices epiploicae; their anatomy and surgical significance, with a review of the surgical pathology of appendices epiploicae. Br J Surg 1950; 37:464–6
Dockerty MB, Lynn TE, Waugh JM. A clinicopathologic study of the epiploic appendages. Surg Gynecol Obstet 1956; 103:423–33
Carmichael DH, Organ CH Jr. Epiploic disorders. Conditions of the epiploic appendages. Arch Surg 1985; 120:1167–72
Sand M, Gelos M, Bechara FG, et al. Epiploic appendagitis—clinical characteristics of an uncommon surgical diagnosis. BMC Surg 2007; 7:11
Choi YU, Choi PW, Park YH, et al. Clinical characteristics of primary epiploic appendagitis. J Korean Soc Coloproctol 2011; 27:114–21
Hwang JA, Kim SM, Song HJ, et al. Differential diagnosis of left-sided abdominal pain: primary epiploic appendagitis vs colonic diverticulitis. World J Gastroenterol 2013; 19:6842–8
de Brito P, Gomez MA, Besson M, et al. Frequency and epidemiology of primary epiploic appendagitis on CT in adults with abdominal pain. J Radiol 2008; 89:235–43
van Breda Vriesman AC, Puylaert JB. Epiploic appendagitis and omental infarction: pitfalls and look-alikes. Abdom Imaging 2002; 27:20–8
Abdulzhavadov IM. Volvulus of the epiploic appendices of the sigmoid in strangulated inguinal hernia. Klin Med (Mosk) 1989; 67:126–7
Poenaru D, Jacobs DA, Kamal I. Unusual findings in the inguinal canal: a report of four cases. Pediatr Surg Int 1999; 15:515–6
Kulacoglu H, Tumer H, Aktimur R, et al. Epiploic appendicitis in inguinal hernia sac presenting an inguinal mass. Hernia 2005; 9:288–90
Bunting D, Harshen R, Ravichandra M, et al. Unusual diagnoses presenting as incarcerated inguinal hernia: a case report and review of the literature. Int J Clin Pract 2006; 60:1681–2
Ozkurt H, Karatağ O, Karaarslan E, et al. Clinical and CT findings of epiploic appendagitis within an inguinal hernia. Diagn Interv Radiol 2007; 13:23–5
Ballas K, Kontoulis T, Skouras Ch, et al. Unusual findings in inguinal hernia surgery: report of 6 rare cases. Hippokratia 2009; 13:169–71
Shiryajev YN, Glebova AV, Chalenko MV. Strangulation and necrosis of an epiploic appendage of the sigmoid colon in a right inguinal hernia Case Rep Surg 2013; 2013:890234. doi: 10.1155/2013/890234
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Avgoustou, C., Sioula, M. Epiploic appendagitis masquerading as incarcerated left inguinal hernia. Hellenic J Surg 88, 205–207 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13126-016-0317-7
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13126-016-0317-7