Report of a case and review of the literature

Abstract

Diverticulitis of the vermiform appendix is a rare disease with clinical features often similar to conventional acute appendicitis. The importance of appendiceal diverticulosis is the fact that it can lead to an early and a higher incidence of perforation and therefore a higher mortality rate, in contrast to acute appendicitis alone. In this study we present the clinicopathology, diagnosis and therapy of the disease with a review of the literature. A 65-year-old woman presented to the emergency department with a 48-hour history of intermittent pain in the right iliac fossa. Abdominal ultrasound raised the possibility of acute appendicitis but because of the relative asymptomatic state of the patient, the lack of fever and rebound tenderness we started observation. After 2 days with episodic abdominal pain, the patient was taken to the operating theatre for laparoscopic exploration. Intraoperatively, multiple diverticula were noted on the appendix and appendectomy was performed. Histopathological examination revealed diverticulosis and inflammation of the appendiceal wall. Due to the possible complications, the difficult preoperative diagnosis and its frequent association with appendiceal neoplasm, appendiceal diverticulosis requires special attention. For asymptomatic cases, incidentally diagnosed intraoperatively or discovered by radiology prophylactic appendectomy is recommended.