Routine colonoscopy with a surprise in the cecum: It’s a giant appendicolith! A Case report and review of the literature

Abstract

Giant appendicoliths (defined as appendiceal stones larger than 2 cm in size) are rare findings, with less than 20 well-documented reported cases. Appendicoliths, in general, are linked to an increased risk of appendicitis and associated complications. However, little information is available on the clinical impact of giant appendicoliths. We present a case of a giant appendicolith accidentally discovered during screening colonoscopy. With more than 4 cm, this appendicolith is one of the largest of the few reported so far. In contrast to all other cases of giant appendicoliths, the patient did not exhibit any symptoms. Additionally, we provide an overview of giant appendicolith cases, discussing their clinical features, diagnosis, and treatment.

Zusammenfassung

Riesenappendikolithen (definiert als Appendikolithen mit einer Größe von mehr als 2 cm) werden mit weniger als 20 bisher dokumentierten Fällen als seltene Befunde angesehen. Im Allgemeinen werden Appendikolithen mit einem erhöhten Appendizitisrisiko und damit verbundenen Komplikationen, wie unter anderem Perforationen und Abszessen, in Verbindung gebracht. Über die klinischen Aspekte von Riesenappendikolithen ist dagegen nur wenig bekannt. Wir stellen einen Fall vor, bei dem ein Riesenappendikolith als Zufallsbefund während einer Vorsorgekoloskopie entdeckt wurde. Mit einem Durchmesser von mehr als 4 cm gehört dieser Appendikolith zu den bisher größten dokumentierten Steinen. Im Gegensatz zu bisherigen Publikationen von Riesenappendikolithen erwies sich unser Patient als vollkommen asymptomatisch. Wir geben darüber hinaus einen Überblick über die bisher publizierten Fälle von Riesenappendikolithen und diskutieren deren klinische Merkmale, das diagnostische Vorgehen und die Therapie.

Keywords

giant appendicolith - routine colonoscopy - ultrasound - minimal invasive surgery - cecal resection - appendectomy

Schlüsselwörter

Riesenappendikolith - Vorsorgekoloskopie - Ultraschall - minimalinvasive Chirurgie - Coecalpolresektion - Appendektomie

Publication History

Received: 13 May 2024

Article published online:
29 July 2024

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