Appendicitis Perforated by Endometriosis in a 50-Year-Old Woman: A Case Report

TL;DR

A 50-year-old woman had perforated appendicitis caused by endometriosis, a rare and often undiagnosed condition.

Contribution

This case report highlights appendiceal endometriosis as a rare but important cause of complicated appendicitis.

Findings

Histopathology confirmed endometriosis at the site of appendiceal perforation.

Appendiceal endometriosis is rare and can mimic typical appendicitis, leading to diagnostic challenges.

Laparoscopic appendectomy was performed successfully in this case.

Abstract

People often experience pain in the lower right side of the abdomen due to appendicitis, which is a frequent issue for both men and women. Every year, numerous appendectomies are performed in the United States. Another condition that affects many women is endometriosis, where tissue similar to the uterine lining appears in other parts of the body, such as the ovaries, fallopian tubes, or abdominal area. In rare situations, it might even be found in the chest. We report a case of a 50-year-old woman presenting with acute right lower quadrant pain, diagnosed with complicated appendicitis. Laparoscopic appendectomy was performed, and histopathology revealed appendiceal endometriosis at the site of perforation. Appendiceal endometriosis remains a rare and often unsuspected cause of appendicitis, posing diagnostic and surgical challenges.

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