Incidental Finding of an Infarcted Epiploic Appendage Attached to the Sigmoid Colon

Epiploic appendagitis is a condition usually caused by infarction of the epiploic appendages, small outpouchings of adipose tissue found on the serosal surface of the colon. Epiploic appendagitis is a rare cause of acute lower abdominal pain, but the condition does not have any specific presenting clinical features and is often misdiagnosed as acute diverticulitis, appendicitis, or other gastrointestinal disorder.

A 53-year-old female presented with abnormal uterine bleeding and pelvic pain and was seeking definitive surgical management. During the patient's total laparoscopic hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy, an infarcted epiploic appendage attached to the sigmoid colon was found. An intraoperative general surgery consultation was obtained, and the infarcted epiploic appendage was laparoscopically excised.

This case provides information about epiploic appendagitis, a rare cause of abdominal pain that can clinically mimic other acute or subacute disorders. The goal is to increase awareness of this rare intra-abdominal condition.