Idiopathic Omental Torsion Relieved With Conservative Management

Abstract

The patient was a 5-year-old boy who had no medical history. He was referred to us with suspected acute appendicitis and complaints of fever and lower abdominal pain. Although his abdominal pain was intense, rebound tenderness and muscular protection were negative. There were no symptoms of problems in the digestive tract such as vomiting or diarrhea. His blood examination revealed an increase in inflammatory reactions, as indicated by the increased white blood cell count and C-reactive protein levels. Computed tomography (CT) revealed wall thickening of the ascending colon; therefore, we started antibiotic administration after acute enterocolitis was diagnosed. After admission, we performed CT again and found a fatty and dense mass with a swirling structure inside the mass; therefore, we diagnosed the patient as having idiopathic omental torsion. Because the symptoms were relieved, conservative management was continued and the patient was discharged on the fourth day after hospitalization. Omental torsion is a rare condition, particularly seen in children; its classical treatment option is surgery. Although conservative management was successful in this case, there are few reports on it. There are many cases where surgery is performed after an initial diagnosis of acute appendicitis is made owing to the presence of similar symptoms. However, in recent years, because of advances in imaging diagnostic techniques such as CT, more patients are being accurately diagnosed. We believe that if patients are accurately diagnosed, surgery will always be required; however, conservative management is sometimes possible.