Gastrointestinal manifestations related to infection with SARS-COV-2: Appendicular syndrome (A case report)

Abdelilah Elbakouri; Abdessamad El Azhary; Mounir Bouali; Fatimazahra Bensardi; Khalid Elhattabi; Abdelaziz Fadil

doi:10.1016/j.amsu.2021.102288

Gastrointestinal manifestations related to infection with SARS-COV-2: Appendicular syndrome (A case report)

Ann Med Surg (Lond). 2021 May:65:102288. doi: 10.1016/j.amsu.2021.102288. Epub 2021 Apr 14.

Authors

Abdelilah Elbakouri^{1

2}, Abdessamad El Azhary^{1

2}, Mounir Bouali^{1

2}, Fatimazahra Bensardi^{1

2}, Khalid Elhattabi^{1

2}, Abdelaziz Fadil^{1

2}

Affiliations

¹ Department of Visceral Surgical Emergency (P35), UHC Ibn ROCHD, Casablanca, Morocco.
² Medicine and Pharmacy Faculty, University of Hassan II, Casablanca, Morocco.

Abstract

Introduction: The clinical symptomatology of SARS-CoV-2 disease may manifest as an appendicular syndrome. The abdominal CT scan can be used to rule out or confirm the diagnosis of acute appendicitis and a chest CT scan can make the diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Observation: We report the observation of a 30-year-old patient, with no particular pathological history, who presented with appendicular syndrome without extra-digestive signs, and especially, without respiratory syndrome. The CRP was at 35mg/l. A thoracoabdominal CT scan was requested to detect an eventual appendicitis. With three straight frosted glass areas on the thoracic area suggesting COVID 19 infectious pneumopathy, a PCR was requested to detect a positive SARS-CoV-2 viral RNA, then the patient was appendectomized. Post-operative follow-up was simple and the patient was transferred to a department dedicated to covid-19-positive patients for further management.

Conclusion: CT scan is necessary before considering emergency surgery for acute appendicitis because it can change the patient's management circuit.

Keywords: Appendicitis; COVID-19; CT Scan; SARS-CoV-2.

Publication types

Case Reports