CT SCAN DIAGNOSIS OF LEFT-SIDED APPENDICI TIS

Background. - Some cases of left-sided appendicitis related to malrota tion or situs inversus have been reported. Another type of left-sided appendicitis is reported Case report. - A 9 year-old boy was admitted suffering from a 2-day history of severe left-sided abdominal pain of the lower quadrant with fever at 38 degrees C. He presented abdominal tenderness and guarding, maximal in the left lower quadrant. His leuko cyte count was 22,000/mm(3). Ultrasonography showed a digestive tubula r structure with thick walls in the left lower quadrant. CT scan revea led a dilated right-sided appendix with localized perforation, whose e xtremity was located in the left lower quadrant along the lateral wall . The diagnosis was confirmed by median laparotomy. Conclusion. - Left -sided appendicitis can also be related to a dilated right appendix wi th its extremity in the left lower-quadrant near the lateral wall. CT scan can then be helpful for diagnosis when ultrasonography remains un conclusive.