A Rare Case of Concurrent Chilaiditi Syndrome and Acute Appendicitis: An Uncommon Diagnostic Dilemma With Literature Review

TL;DR

A rare case of Chilaiditi syndrome and acute appendicitis is reported, highlighting the diagnostic challenges and the role of advanced imaging.

Contribution

This paper presents a rare concurrent occurrence of Chilaiditi syndrome and acute appendicitis with successful laparoscopic treatment.

Findings

Chilaiditi syndrome can coexist with acute appendicitis, a rare and challenging diagnostic scenario.

Laparoscopic appendicectomy is a viable treatment option in such cases with good outcomes.

CT imaging is crucial for accurate diagnosis in atypical abdominal presentations.

Abstract

Chilaiditi syndrome, characterized by the interposition of the colon between the diaphragm and the liver, is a rare anatomical variant often discovered incidentally during imaging for unrelated conditions. While typically asymptomatic, it can occasionally lead to gastrointestinal symptoms or complications such as bowel obstruction, volvulus, or even appendicitis, an exceptionally rare occurrence. We report the case of a 60-year-old female diagnosed with Chilaiditi syndrome who developed acute appendicitis. She underwent a successful laparoscopic appendicectomy with an uncomplicated postoperative recovery. This case underscores the diagnostic challenges of Chilaiditi syndrome, particularly when coexisting with acute abdominal conditions, and highlights the importance of advanced imaging, such as CT, in atypical presentations.

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