A recurrent retrohepatic abscess secondary to a dropped appendicolith

Sheikh, Shahzeb; Kaur, Muskan; Zaitoun, Abed M; Lobo, Dileep N

Abstract

Appendicoliths can drop into the peritoneal cavity during the course of an appendicectomy, or more commonly as a result of perforated appendicitis. We report the case of a patient with a history of recurrent retrohepatic abscesses over 7-year period due to a retained appendicolith and review the literature on perihepatic abscesses caused by retained appendicoliths. The abscess had been drained percutaneously 4 times without retrieval of the appendicolith and eventually the patient needed a laparotomy, drainage of the abscess, and extraction of the appendicolith. Treatment of abscesses secondary to dropped appendicoliths may be percutaneous, laparoscopic, or via conventional open surgery, but it is important to retrieve the appendicolith if recurrent abscess formation is to be avoided.

Citation

Sheikh, S., Kaur, M., Zaitoun, A. M., & Lobo, D. N. (2024). A recurrent retrohepatic abscess secondary to a dropped appendicolith. Radiology Case Reports, 19(3), 1176-1180. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.radcr.2023.12.040

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Dec 20, 2023
• Online Publication Date: Jan 4, 2024
• Publication Date: 2024-03
• Deposit Date: Jan 4, 2024
• Publicly Available Date: Jan 4, 2024
• Journal: Radiology Case Reports
• Electronic ISSN: 1930-0433
• Publisher: Elsevier
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 19
• Issue: 3
• Pages: 1176-1180
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.radcr.2023.12.040
• Keywords: Appendicolith; Complications; Perforated appendicitis; Perihepatic abscess; Treatment
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/29268378
• Publisher URL: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S193004332300955X?via%3Dihub
• PMID: 38259712