Endometriosis of the appendix: a trap for the unwarey

ABSTRACT

The anatomic variations of the appendix along with a wide spectrum of appendiceal affections frustrate the accurate diagnosis of appendicitis. Isolated endometriosis of the appendix is rare and its presentation as acute appendicitis is even uncommon[1] Endometriosis affects the intestinal tract in 15-30% of patients with pelvic endometriosis[2]. The correct diagnosis is often delayed because intestinal endometriosis may masquerade clinically as regional enteritis, ischemic enteritis or colitis, diverticulitis or neoplasm[3,4]. The incidence of endometriosis of the appendix is reported to be just under 1% of the total endometriosis cases[5,6] but because of its propensity to manifest with a wide spectrum of sitespecific presentations, appendiceal endometriosis should be a diagnostic consideration in the evaluation of pre menopausal women with gastrointestinal complaints[7]. This case report presents a lady with vague abdominal pain and ultimately was found to have endometriosis of the appendix at King Khalid University Hospital Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia [K.S.A]