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Published on: October 12, 2018
Pill impaction mimicking appendicitis in an HIV-positive patient
Mauro Torno1, Michael Shallman
1Long Beach Health Department Early Intervention Program, Long Beach, California, USA.
Abstract:
Abdominal pain is a frequent presenting symptom among HIV-positive patients seeking care at emergency departments. We report a case of a 45-year-old HIV-infected Hispanic man who presented with right lower quadrant pain accompanied by fever, decreased appetite, nausea, and vomiting. The results of a CT scan of his abdomen were normal with no evidence of appendicitis. A colonoscopy was performed and revealed an impacted pill in the appendiceal orifice. The pill was removed endoscopically, and pill impaction has not recurred.
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