A case report describing diverticulosis of the appendix presenting as acute appendicitis

Abstract

HighlightsA case is described of a patient with diverticulosis of the appendix (DA) which was initially diagnosed as early acute appendicitis.The clinical characteristics of DA are described and a case is made for better diagnosis prior to surgery.Improving preoperative diagnosis of DA will require higher indices of clinical suspicion based on patient presentations and better identification by diagnostic imaging (CT and ultrasound).

A Rare Simultaneous Occurrence of Appendiceal Diverticulitis and Peptic Ulcer that Leads to Abdominal Peritonitis Symptoms

“…Appendiceal diverticulitis risk factors are male gender, age over 30, cystic fibrosis, and Hirschsprung disease [12]. Appendiceal diverticulitis is not only a rare condition that can mimic other diseases' symptoms, and most of all, it is confused with acute appendicitis, but also it can be synchronous with other serious diseases such as carcinoid tumors [2,5]. One of the most complications of appendiceal diverticulitis is perforation, with an incidence prevalence of 66% [13].…”

“…The definitive treatment way to eradicate symptomatic appendiceal diverticulitis is an appendectomy, and choosing the appropriate surgical method between laparotomy or laparoscopy depends on the patient's condition and surgical team decision [15] Choosing the appropriate surgical method is crucial to perform a safe way to avoid rupture that it can lead to peritoneal seeding and peritonitis consequently [5].…”

“…Also, it can be synchronous neoplasms such as carcinoids and mucinous adenomas and adenocarcinomas, or it can mimic other diseases' symptoms. So the preoperative diagnosis of this disease is challenging and essential [2,5]. As regards this issue, a patient with generalized abdominal peritonitis symptoms, without any specific appendicitis symptoms, presented in this article and finally discovered appendiceal diverticulitis as the main reason but mimicking abdominal peritonitis due to perforated peptic ulcer.…”

Congenital Appendiceal Diverticulum: An Incidental Finding During an Appendectomy

“…Appendiceal diverticula are often incidental findings not discovered until after surgery. However, when symptoms occur, they often mimic appendicitis [ 2 , 3 ]. When appendiceal diverticula are discovered, a prophylactic appendectomy is performed to eliminate the major risks of perforation and malignancy [ 3 ].…”

Incidental Finding of Diverticulosis of the Appendix with Sessile Serrated Adenoma

“…The appendix is one of the rare locations that diverticulosis can appear, with an incidence of about 1% [2]. When diverticulosis of the appendix appears, it can present similarly to appendicitis and is usually only diagnosed during appendectomy [3].…”