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©The Author(s) 2005. Published by Baishideng Publishing Group Inc. All rights reserved.
World J Gastroenterol. Sep 14, 2005; 11(34): 5398-5400
Published online Sep 14, 2005. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v11.i34.5398
Published online Sep 14, 2005. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v11.i34.5398
Asymptomatic early acute appendicitis initiated and diagnosed during colonoscopy: A case report
Michelle Petro, Anil Minocha, Division of Digestive Diseases, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS 39216, USA
Author contributions: All authors contributed equally to the work.
Correspondence to: Anil Minocha, MD, Director, Division of Digestive Diseases, 2500 North State Street, Jackson, MS 39216, United States. aminocha@medicine.umsmed.edu
Telephone: +1-601-984-4545
Received: January 21, 2005
Revised: February 13, 2005
Accepted: February 18, 2005
Published online: September 14, 2005
Revised: February 13, 2005
Accepted: February 18, 2005
Published online: September 14, 2005
Abstract
Colonoscopic diagnosis of asymptomatic early acute appendicitis is exceedingly rare. Although obstruction of the lumen due to various causes is believed to be the most common physiologic mechanism of acute appendicitis, all of the previously documented cases in the literature have only shown a patent appendiceal lumen with pus flowing into the cecum. We present the case of a patient undergoing colonoscopy for colorectal cancer evaluation with no abdominal symptoms. An obstructed, swollen appendix was seen. The process was probably initiated during the colonoscopy, documenting perhaps the earliest stage of acute appendicitis for the first time. Endoscopic, CT and microscopic documentation of the case is also presented.
Keywords: Colonoscopy; Appendicitis; Complications; Endoscopy