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Omental infarction: an unusual cause of acute abdomen in children

H Nagar1, A Kessler, L Ben-Sira

  • 1Department of Pediatric Surgery, Dana Children's Hospital, Tel Aviv Medical Center, 6 Weitzman Street, 64239 Tel Aviv, Israel. hnagar@post.tau.ac.il

Pediatric Surgery International
|October 28, 2003
PubMed

Insights

Omental infarction can cause pseudotumor, mimicking acute abdomen in children. Early diagnosis with imaging like ultrasound and CT scans can prevent unnecessary surgery for this condition.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Surgery
  • Gastroenterology
  • Diagnostic Imaging

Background:

  • Acute abdomen in children often necessitates surgical evaluation.
  • Differentiating surgical from non-surgical causes is critical for appropriate management.

Observation:

  • Two boys presented with acute abdominal pain and low-grade fever.
  • Physical exam showed abdominal fullness; labs revealed elevated ESR but normal WBC and coagulation.
  • Imaging studies (ultrasound and CT) identified pseudotumor in both patients.

Findings:

  • The pseudotumors were attributed to omental infarction.
  • Both patients improved with symptomatic treatment and cefazolin within 6-10 days.
  • This suggests omental infarction can present as a pseudotumor causing acute abdominal symptoms.

Implications:

  • Omental infarction leading to pseudotumor is a potential cause of acute abdomen in pediatric patients.
  • A high index of suspicion is crucial for accurate diagnosis.
  • Utilizing ultrasonography and computerized tomography aids in avoiding unnecessary surgical interventions.

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