Primary omental torsion diagnosed and treated laparoscopically: a case report

• Published in: Journal of surgical case reports Vol. 2021; no. 6
• Main Authors: Imanishi, Kentaro, Iga, Norichika, Mizuno, Daisuke, Nishi, Hideyuki, Miyoshi, Shinichiro
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford University Press 01-06-2021
• Subjects: Case Report
• ISSN: 2042-8812; 2042-8812
• DOI: 10.1093/jscr/rjab237

Omental torsion, a rare cause of acute abdomen in children and adults, is difficult to correctly diagnose before surgery because it mimics the common causes of acute surgical abdomen. We present a case of greater omental torsion that was diagnosed by laparoscopy. A 37-year-old man presented with right lower abdominal pain and was suspected to have appendicitis. Blood tests revealed elevated C-reactive protein and white blood cell count, whereas computed tomography revealed a nodular mass and high-density lesions in the fat tissue. As the patient’s abdominal symptoms were severe and a clear diagnosis could not be made, we performed exploratory laparoscopy. Laparoscopy revealed omental torsion, and an omentectomy was performed. The patient’s pain had significantly reduced post-surgery, and post-operative recovery was uneventful. Thus, laparoscopic examination is useful for accurately diagnosing omental torsion and is less invasive than surgery.