Caecal diverticulitis, an uncommon mimic of appendicitis

Area of Science:

• Gastroenterology
• Surgical Innovation

Background:

• Appendicitis is a common cause of right iliac fossa pain, often treated with laparoscopic appendicectomy.
• Accurate preoperative diagnosis can be challenging, sometimes leading to negative appendicectomies.

Observation:

• A 35-year-old male presented with right iliac fossa pain, elevated inflammatory markers, and clinical signs suggestive of acute appendicitis.
• Intraoperative findings revealed a normal appendix but an inflamed caecal pole.

Findings:

• Histological analysis confirmed the diagnosis of caecal diverticulitis.
• The patient underwent successful minimally invasive surgery involving resection of the inflamed caecal pole using a linear stapler.

Implications:

• This case highlights the importance of intraoperative exploration when initial diagnoses are uncertain.
• Caecal diverticulitis can mimic appendicitis, necessitating careful surgical assessment to avoid unnecessary appendicectomy.
• Minimally invasive techniques can be effectively applied to treat caecal diverticulitis, ensuring appropriate management and patient recovery.