Acute ruptured appendicitis and peritonitis with pseudomyocardial infarction

Am J Emerg Med. 2009 Jun;27(5):627.e5-8. doi: 10.1016/j.ajem.2008.08.025.

Abstract

Acute abdominal conditions unexpectedly present with electrocardiographic changes. However, the presence of electrocardiographic changes and misleading clinical manifestations may obscure true etiology and delay surgical interventions. We present a patient who developed ruptured appendicitis with peritonitis manifested as acute inferior wall myocardial infarction-like electrocardiographic changes. A thorough physical examination and early echocardiographic evaluation helped to differentiate this pseudomyocardial infarction. A 64-multidetector-row computed tomography of the abdomen showed ruptured retrocecal appendicitis, and emergent appendectomy was done. Normalization of ST segments was observed after surgery.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Appendicitis / diagnostic imaging*
  • Appendicitis / drug therapy
  • Appendicitis / microbiology
  • Biomarkers / analysis
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Electrocardiography
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Myocardial Infarction / diagnosis
  • Peritonitis / diagnostic imaging*
  • Peritonitis / drug therapy
  • Peritonitis / microbiology
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed / methods

Substances

  • Biomarkers