Empyema Due to Thoracic Migrating Appendicolith

Background: Retained appendicolith following appendicectomy, and can cause recurrentabscess in the abdomen and retroperitoneum. Case characteristics: 11-yr-old boy whopresented with subpulmonic abscess and pneumonia following appendicectomy forperforated appendicitis. Observations: Thoracotomy revealed a thick walled subpulmonicabscess surrounding an appendicolith along with a rent in the posterolateral aspect of thediaphragm. Message: In children presenting with pus collections and a history of recentappendicectomy, the possibility of a migrating appendicolith should be considered.