SARCOIDOSIS MANIFESTING AS ACUTE APPENDICITIS - REPORT OF A CASE

PURPOSE: This report presents a patient who developed signs and sympto ms of acute appendicitis because of sarcoid involvement of the appendi x. METHODS: This is a retrospective case review with review of the Eng lish language literature. RESULTS: The patient underwent appendectomy for suspected acute appendicitis. Histologically the appendix had no s igns of acute inflammation but did have noncaseating granulomas. The p atient's abdominal pain resolved following appendectomy, and she has h ad no further similar pain in the two years since the operation. CONCL USION: Patients with sarcoidosis may develop signs and symptoms of acu te appendicitis without inflammation. Operative exploration should not be delayed in equivocal cases of right lower quadrant abdominal pain in patients with sarcoidosis.