Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 14, 2026

Retroperitoneal Laparoscopic Debridement and Drainage for Pancreatic Abscess
Published on: March 15, 2024
Perforated retrocaecal appendix presenting as right lumbar abscess
D M Fanning1, M Barry, G C O'Brien
1Department of Surgery, Beaumont Hospital, Dublin 9, Ireland.
Background:
Acute appendicitis is common in older patients, however, the presentation may differ from the younger population and it is often complicated by coexistent disease and delays in presentation.
Aims:
This case report describes an unusual presentation of acute appendicitis in an elderly patient and also demonstrates a unique anatomical pathway of disease extension. In addition, this case report highlights the advantages of CT in preoperative evaluation and subsequent management of these protean presentations of acute appendicitis.
Methods:
This report describes a case of an asymptomatic retrocaecal perforated appendicitis which presented clinically as a right lumbar abscess with surrounding cellulitis, and was further complicated by a concomitant new diagnosis of type 2 diabetes mellitus in a 66-year-old male.
Conclusion:
Elderly or immunocompromised patients presenting with cellulitis or a cutaneous abscess of the abdominal wall or lumbar region may benefit from an abdominal CT to demonstrate an intraperitoneal source of sepsis.
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