Epiploic appendagitis: An overlooked cause of acute abdominal pain

Table 2 Comparison of primary and secondary epiploic appendagitis

Feature	Primary epiploic appendagitis	Secondary epiploic appendagitis
Definition	Isolated inflammation of an epiploic appendage	Inflammation of an epiploic appendage secondary to adjacent organ inflammation
Etiology	Torsion or spontaneous venous thrombosis causing ischemic infarction	Extension of inflammation from nearby pathology (e.g., diverticulitis, appendicitis, cholecystitis)
precipitating factors	Large, elongated appendages; obesity; sudden body movements	Underlying intra-abdominal infection or inflammation
clinical presentation	Localized, non-radiating abdominal pain; minimal systemic symptoms	Symptoms dominated by the underlying primary disease
imaging findings	Isolated inflamed epiploic appendage with minimal adjacent tissue involvement	Inflamed appendage plus significant adjacent inflammatory changes
Management	Conservative treatment (NSAIDs, observation)	Treatment of the underlying primary condition
Prognosis	Excellent; self-limiting within 1-2 weeks	Depends on resolution of the primary disease

NSAID: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug.