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Appendicular peritonitis in situs inversus totalis: a case report.
Mamadou Cissé1, Alpha O Touré, Ibrahima Konaté
1Clinique Chirurgicale, Hôpital Aristide Le Dantec, Dakar, Avenue Pasteur, BP 3001, Sénégal. macisse22@yahoo.fr.
Journal of Medical Case Reports
|May 13, 2010
Summary
Situs inversus totalis is a rare congenital condition where organs are mirrored. Appendicular peritonitis in these patients presents diagnostic challenges, requiring advanced imaging for timely intervention.
Area of Science:
- Medical Case Reports
- Surgical Pathology
Background:
- Situs inversus is a congenital anomaly with transposed abdominal viscera.
- Situs inversus totalis, including dextrocardia, is rare.
- Appendicular peritonitis in situs inversus poses diagnostic difficulties.
Purpose of the Study:
- To report a case of appendicular peritonitis in a patient with situs inversus totalis.
- To highlight the diagnostic challenges associated with this rare condition.
Main Methods:
- Case presentation of a 20-year-old African man with diffuse abdominal pain.
- Surgical exploration for peritonitis revealing situs inversus and a perforated appendix.
- Post-operative tomodensitometry confirmed situs inversus totalis.
Main Results:
- A perforated appendix was found in a patient with situs inversus totalis.
- The condition presented as a diagnostic challenge due to atypical organ positioning.
Conclusions:
- Appendicular peritonitis in situs inversus is a rare but significant association.
- Advanced imaging (ultrasonography, tomodensitometry, MRI) and laparoscopy are crucial for early diagnosis and management.
- These methods aid in selecting the most appropriate treatment for affected patients.
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