ACUTE APPENDICITIS MIMICKING A BENIGN CECAL TUMOR: A CASE REPORT

  • Marian Botoncea George Emil Palade University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science and Technology, Târgu Mureș, Romania & 1st Surgical Clinic, Emergency Clinical County Hospital Târgu Mureș, Târgu Mureș, Romania
  • Dragoș Călin Molnar 1st Surgical Clinic, Emergency Clinical County Hospital Târgu Mureș, Târgu Mureș, Romania
  • Cosma Cătălin Dumitru 2. 1st Surgical Clinic, Emergency Clinical County Hospital Târgu Mureș, Târgu Mureș, Romania
  • Baltă Cătălin 2. 1st Surgical Clinic, Emergency Clinical County Hospital Târgu Mureș, Târgu Mureș, Romania
  • Sandu Aprodu 2. 1st Surgical Clinic, Emergency Clinical County Hospital Târgu Mureș, Târgu Mureș, Romania
  • Vlad-Olimpiu Butiurca George Emil Palade University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science and Technology, Târgu Mureș, Romania & 1st Surgical Clinic, Emergency Clinical County Hospital Târgu Mureș, Târgu Mureș, Romania
  • Călin Molnar George Emil Palade University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science and Technology, Târgu Mureș, Romania & 1st Surgical Clinic, Emergency Clinical County Hospital Târgu Mureș, Târgu Mureș, Romania
Keywords: Catarrhal appendicitis, inflammatory cecal tumor, laparoscopic appendectomy, longitudinal cecal resection laparoscopically assisted

Abstract

This case report highlights the diagnostic challenges and clinical decision-making in a case of acute appendicitis presenting with clinical and radiological features mimicking a benign cecal tumor. A 23-year-old male patient presented to the emergency department complaining of right lower quadrant pain, nausea, and vomiting, suggesting acute appendicitis. His clinical examination, laboratory findings, and computed tomography abdominal scan suggested acute appendicitis associated with an appendicular plastron. Catarrhal appendicitis and a cecal tumor attached to the anterolateral abdominal wall were observed during laparoscopic exploration of the peritoneal cavity. A laparoscopic appendectomy and a laparoscopically assisted partial longitudinal resection of the cecum were performed. The histopathological examination diagnosed acute catarrhal appendicitis and suppurative granulomatous inflammation of the cecal wall, which was rich in eosinophils. The postoperative evolution was favorable, and the patient was discharged on the eighth postoperative day. At one and three months postoperative, the patient was in good condition without any abdominal complaints.

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Published
2023-12-24