# Inflamed Appendix Protruding Through a Right Broad Ligament Defect: A Case Report

## TL;DR

A rare case of an inflamed appendix protruding through a broad ligament defect was diagnosed and treated successfully with laparoscopy.

## Contribution

This case report highlights the diagnostic and therapeutic management of a rare anatomical condition presenting as acute appendicitis.

## Key findings

- Emergency laparoscopy confirmed a broad ligament defect with a protruding appendix.
- A neuroendocrine tumor was discovered in the appendix during pathology analysis.
- Closure of the defect prevented future internal hernia.

## Abstract

The protrusion of the appendix through a broad ligament defect suggests an extremely rare clinical entity, especially when the clinical manifestation of this condition is acute appendicitis. The current article presents a case of a 23-year-old female who presented to the emergency department with right lower abdominal pain and nausea, accompanied by elevated white blood cell count. Imaging performed, both ultrasound and computed tomography, reported acute appendicitis, without evidence of a broad ligament defect. During exploratory laparoscopy, the defect was identified, the appendix was retrieved and ligated and sutures were applied to the defect. The postoperative course of treatment was uneventful, and pathology confirmed inflammation of the appendix and also revealed a small neuroendocrine tumor. The value of emergency laparoscopy for the diagnosis of this rare condition and the therapeutic management which involves the closure of the defect to prevent future internal hernia are issues highlighted in this article.