Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 11, 2026

Murine Appendectomy Model of Chronic Colitis Associated Colorectal Cancer by Precise Localization of Caecal Patch
Published on: August 24, 2019
Gangrenous Appendicitis in a Boy with Mobile Caecum
Suat Keskin1, Zeynep Keskin2, Metin Gunduz3
1Department of Radiology, Necmettin Erbakan University, Meram School of Medicine, Konya, Turkey.
Insights
A rare congenital condition, mobile cecum and ascending colon, caused acute gangrenous appendicitis in a child. Computed tomography (CT) imaging proved crucial for diagnosis when ultrasound (US) was inconclusive.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Surgery
- Congenital Gastrointestinal Disorders
- Diagnostic Imaging
Background:
- Mobile cecum and ascending colon is a rare congenital anomaly.
- Its presentation as an acute abdomen in childhood is exceptionally uncommon.
Observation:
- A 6-year-old boy presented with symptoms suggestive of acute appendicitis.
- Initial emergency ultrasound (US) failed to identify appendicitis in the typical right lower quadrant location.
- Serial imaging, including non-enhanced computed tomography (CT), revealed epigastric appendicitis associated with a mobile cecum.
Findings:
- The patient had a mobile cecum and ascending colon, with the cecum located in the right epigastric area.
- A gangrenous appendix was identified posterior to the cecum and transverse colon, extending into the left upper quadrant.
- Appendectomy was successfully performed, and the appendix was pathologically confirmed as gangrenous.
Implications:
- Computed tomography (CT) is a valuable tool for diagnosing pediatric abdominal pain when initial ultrasound (US) findings are atypical or absent.
- CT aids in accurately locating the cecum and appendix, preventing misdiagnosis in cases of mobile cecum and ascending colon.
- Early and accurate diagnosis through advanced imaging is critical for timely surgical intervention in pediatric surgical emergencies.
Abstract:
A mobile caecum and ascending colon is an uncommon congenital disorder, and it is even rarer as the cause of an acute abdomen during childhood. This report presents the case of a 6-year-old boy with acute gangrenous appendicitis with a mobile caecum and ascending colon. Data from the surgical course, as well as laboratory and imaging studies, were acquired and carefully examined. Emergency ultrasound (US) was performed and revealed no signs of appendicitis in the right lower quadrant. Serial imaging study, including non-enhanced computed tomography (CT), was performed. An imaging study identified epigastric appendicitis with mobile caecum. Surgery was executed under general anesthesia with a median incision extending from the epigastrium to the suprapubic region. The caecum was mobile and placed in the right epigastric area, next to the left lobe of the liver and gallbladder. The gangrenous appendix was discovered posterior to the caecum and transverse colon, enlarging to the left upper quadrant. Appendectomy was executed, the gangrenous appendix was confirmed pathologically, and the patient was released 4 days later. In the US, if there are unusual clinical findings or no findings in patients with abdominal pain, CT is beneficial in determining the location of the caecum and appendix and preventing misdiagnosis in children.
Related Concept Videos
Appendicitis-I: Introduction
Etiology: Appendicitis can arise from various causes, primarily rooted in the obstruction of the appendix lumen. Factors contributing to this obstruction include fecal accumulation, lymphoid hyperplasia and, in...
Appendicitis-II: Diagnostic Studies and Management
Diagnosing Appendicitis
It requires a multifaceted approach, starting with a detailed physical examination to pinpoint the location and nature of the pain and identify any associated symptoms. Laboratory tests play a crucial role. A complete Blood Count (CBC) typically reveals leukocytosis (an increased number of...
