Gray-scale and color Doppler sonographic diagnosis of epiploic appendagitis

Depending on its location, epiploic appendagitis may mimic nearly any acute abdominal condition. We present the case of a patient with left lower quad rant pain. Sonography demonstrated an ovoid, hyperechoic, noncompressible l esion at the point of tenderness but no inflammatory changes in the adjacen t colonic wall. Color Doppler sonography showed no flow in the lesion. Base d on the sonographic diagnosis of epiploic appendagitis, conservative treat ment was given, with complete recovery in 5 days. Awareness of these sonogr aphic findings may aid in the early diagnosis of epiploic appendagitis and avoid unnecessary treatment. (C) 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.