Abdominal pain in a child after blunt abdominal trauma: An unusual injury

We report a case of perforation of a walled off appendiceal abscess in a 5- year-old boy who sustained blunt abdominal trauma. The past medical history was significant only for a 4-day episode of abdominal pain 1 month prior t o this presentation. Initial laboratory studies were unremarkable, and radi ographic studies showed free fluid in the pelvis with no evidence of solid organ injury, but inflammation of the right colon. The final diagnosis was made at laparotomy. We emphasize this unique presentation and review the li terature on traumatic appendicitis in children. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science I nc.