Giant Appendicolithiasis Presenting with Chronic Abdominal Pain and Mass: A Case Report

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Appendicitis is the most common cause of acute abdomen. The diagnosis of appendicitis can be easy when it presents with the classical symptoms or is very challenging when present with atypical presentation. Around 20-30% of patients operated on for appendicitis have appendicolithiasis. Appendicolithiasis are usually small in size, and are called giant when more than 2cm in size.
CASE DETAIL: A 36 years old man was referred from a district hospital with a diagnosis of cecal cancer. His complaints were right lower quadrant (RLQ) abdominal mass of 03 months and pain of 18 months duration. Colonoscopy was normal but abdominal CT showed a RLQ mass with a dense radio-opaque shadow at its center.
CONCLUSIONS: Giant appendicolith is a rare condition. A high index of suspicion and careful review of imaging findings is the key in early diagnosis and improved patient outcomes.