Appendicolithiasis causing diagnostic dilemma: A rare cause of acute appendicitis (report of a case)

Abstract

Appendicolithiasis is a condition characterized by a concretion in the vermiform appendix. Appendicoliths are found in 10% of patients with acute appendicitis, but they are seen more frequently in perforated appendicitis and in abscess formation. We herein report a case of acute appendicitis due to appendicolithiasis, which mimics acute disorders of the genitourinary tract and causes diagnostic confusion. A 38-year-old man presented to our emergency department with a history of intense, acute, recurrent, crampy right lower quadrant pain radiating to the right groin region, accompanied by nausea. Physical examination revealed muscular defense and rebound tenderness in the right lower quadrant, tenderness in the line of the right ureter and right costovertebral angle tenderness. On X-ray examination, a right kidney stone was identified as was an incidental 3-cm density in the right lower quadrant. The patient underwent appendectomy. The diagnosis was made by operation and also X-ray examination of the appendectomy material showing appendicolithiasis. Acute appendicitis may manifest as a variety of genitourinary disorders. The possibility of an appendicolith with or without acute appendicitis must always be considered in the differential diagnosis of acute lower abdominal and pelvic disorders, and in the consideration of common acute urological disorders.