Epiploic appendagitis: an entity frequently unknown to clinicians--diagnostic imaging, pitfalls, and look-alikes.

Abstract

Epiploic appendagitis is an ischemic infarction of an epiploic appendage caused by torsion or spontaneous thrombosis of the epiploic appendage central draining vein. When it occurs on the right side of the abdomen, it can mimic appendicitis and right-sided diverticulitis; whereas when it occurs on the left side of the abdomen, it is often mistaken for sigmoid diverticulitis. The purpose of this article is to review the diagnostic imaging of this entity. Epiploic appendagitis is self-limited and spontaneously resolves without surgery within 5-7 days. Therefore, it is imperative for radiologists to be familiar with this entity.