Helical CT Evaluation of Acute Right Lower Quadrant Pain: Part I, Common Mimics of Appendicitis

Epiploic Appendagitis

Epiploic appendagitis is thought to occur as a result of spontaneous torsion, ischemia, or inflammation of an epiploic appendage of the colon. The condition presents with acute abdominal pain that can mimic appendicitis.^[8] On helical CT, the lesion shows a characteristic appearance as an ovoid fat-attenuation focus with a hyperattenuating rim associated with the serosal surface of the adjacent colon (Fig. 12). Mild inflammatory changes of the surrounding fat may be seen.

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42-year-old woman with right abdominal pain. Axial CT scan shows fat-containing lesion (asterisk) with hyperattenuating rim and fat stranding ( arrows ) in right lower quadrant right lateral to cecum (C), consistent with epiploic appendagitis.

Am J Roentgenol. 2005;184(4):1136-1142. © 2005 American Roentgen Ray Society