Bacteremia Secondary to Epiploic Appendagitis (EA)

Area of Science:

• Gastroenterology
• Infectious Diseases

Background:

• Epiploic appendages are small, fat-filled sacs on the large intestine.
• Epiploic appendagitis (EA) typically results from appendage torsion or thrombosis, causing ischemic infarction.
• EA is usually a benign and self-limiting condition causing abdominal pain.

Observation:

• A patient presented with sudden diffuse abdominal pain, nausea, and fever.
• CT imaging confirmed EA of the sigmoid colon.
• The patient subsequently developed sepsis with E. coli bacteremia.

Findings:

• This case details a rare presentation of E. coli sepsis in a patient with epiploic appendagitis.
• The usual uncomplicated course of EA was complicated by a severe systemic infection.

Implications:

• Highlights the importance of considering infectious complications even in typically benign conditions like EA.
• Suggests that patients with EA, especially if severe or persistent, may require thorough investigation for underlying infection.
• Underscores the potential for rare but serious complications from localized gastrointestinal pathology.