THE MYTH OF THE FECALITH

A radiographically demonstrated fecalith is widely considered a virtua lly pathognomonic sign of acute appendicitis. This case report describ es a patient with a clinical presentation suggestive of appendicitis a nd a well defined right lower quadrant fecalith who was found to have a normal appendix at surgery, This case calls into question the venera ble dogma surrounding the fecalith and highlights the necessity for th e physician to continue to rely on clinical judgment in making the dia gnosis of appendicitis. Copyright (C) 1996 W.B. Saunders Company.