Perforated appendicitis and appendicolith in a child presenting as intussusception: a case report

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Todd P Chang1, Sudha A Russell

  • 1Children's National Medical Center, Division of Emergency Medicine, Washington, DC 20010, USA. dr.toddchang@gmail.com

Pediatric Emergency Care
|July 7, 2011
PubMed

Insights

Simultaneous intussusception and appendicitis are rare in children. This case highlights the importance of considering alternative diagnoses when a child

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Surgery
  • Gastroenterology

Background:

  • Intussusception and appendicitis are common pediatric surgical emergencies.
  • Simultaneous occurrence is exceptionally rare, posing diagnostic challenges.

Observation:

  • A 30-month-old boy initially diagnosed with intussusception underwent successful reduction.
  • Deterioration prompted further investigation, revealing perforated appendicitis with an appendicolith within the intussusception.

Findings:

  • The case demonstrates a rare instance of concurrent intussusception and appendicitis in a pediatric patient.
  • An appendicolith was identified as part of the intussuscepted mass, complicating the initial diagnosis.

Implications:

  • This case underscores the necessity of considering alternative diagnoses in pediatric patients with atypical presentations.
  • Clinicians must maintain a high index of suspicion for concurrent pathologies, even after initial successful treatment.

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