Perforated appendicitis and appendicolith in a child presenting as intussusception: a case report

Pediatr Emerg Care. 2011 Jul;27(7):635-8. doi: 10.1097/PEC.0b013e3182225608.

Abstract

Simultaneous diagnoses of intussusception and appendicitis in the same patient have rarely been described in the pediatric literature. A case of a 30-month-old boy is presented with an initial diagnosis of intussusception that was successfully reduced by air contrast enema. When the patient's condition deteriorated, a diagnostic search surprisingly revealed a missed perforated appendicitis with an appendicolith that had been part of the intussusception. The patient's hospitalization and surgical course is described along with a discussion of the intermingling of intussusception and appendicitis in a young child. This case illustrates the need to consider alternative diagnoses when a patient's course takes an unexpected and confusing turn.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Appendicitis / complications*
  • Appendicitis / diagnosis*
  • Appendicitis / diagnostic imaging
  • Appendix / diagnostic imaging
  • Child, Preschool
  • Enema
  • Humans
  • Ileal Diseases / complications*
  • Ileal Diseases / therapy
  • Intussusception / complications*
  • Intussusception / diagnostic imaging
  • Intussusception / therapy
  • Male
  • Radiography
  • Ultrasonography