Case of a Giant Appendicolith

Area of Science:

• Gastroenterology
• Surgical Pathology

Background:

• Appendicoliths are calcified deposits within the appendiceal lumen, typically under 1 cm.
• Giant appendicoliths (>2 cm) are rare and often asymptomatic, discovered incidentally via imaging.
• Appendicolith presence correlates with increased risk and severity of appendicitis, particularly in retrocecal cases.

Observation:

• A case report details an adult male with right iliac fossa pain, nausea, and anorexia.
• Computed tomography (CT) revealed acute appendicitis caused by a 3.1 cm giant appendicolith.
• The patient underwent open appendicectomy due to financial limitations preventing laparoscopy.

Findings:

• The surgical intervention for the giant appendicolith and acute appendicitis was clinically successful.
• The patient experienced no postoperative complications and was discharged the following day.
• Post-operative review at six weeks showed full recovery with no surgical outpatient clinic follow-up needed.

Implications:

• Giant appendicoliths, though rare, are significant risk factors for acute appendicitis.
• Open appendicectomy remains a viable surgical option, especially when laparoscopic approaches are not feasible.
• Prompt surgical management of appendicitis secondary to giant appendicoliths ensures favorable patient outcomes.