Omental infarction as a delayed complication of abdominal surgery

Omental infarction, an uncommon cause of acute abdominal pain, is the resul t of compromised perfusion to the greater omentum. Although its etiology re mains uncertain, predisposing factors include obesity [Surg. Today 30 (2000 ) 451], strenuous activity [N. Z. Med. J. 111 (1998) 211], trauma, and idio pathic omental torsion. Often confused with acute appendicitis or cholecyst itis on clinical grounds [Surg. Today 30 (2000) 451], its diagnosis has tra ditionally been one of exclusion, based on intraoperative and pathologic fi ndings. This diagnosis can be made radiologically based on the characterist ic findings of an inflammatory mass containing fat and fluid. We describe a case of right lower quadrant omental infarction temporally related to bowe l surgery (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Inc. All rights reserved.