A Woman with Right Lower Quadrant Mass and Abdominal Pain – The Benefits of Sonography and Its Limitations

Posted in: Clinical Studies, Gynecology, Ultrasound Literature|April 9, 2014

SONOSIM SUMMARY: This case report was obtained in a busy urban ED during the evaluation of a young female presenting with right lower quadrant abdominal pain and vomiting. Point-of-care sonography revealed a complex cystic mass in the right adnexa. The appendix was not visualized. The patient later developed a low-grade fever and peritoneal signs, and underwent CT imaging which revealed acute appendicitis and a teratoma. This case report serves as a nice reminder of the benefits of sonography and its limitations. Limitations of imaging the appendix are underscored. The importance of clinically correlating sonographic findings and understanding when to employ adjunctive imaging modalities, such as CT, is also reinforced.

Torbati SS et al. Woman With Right Lower Quadrant Mass And Abdominal Pain. Journal Emerg Med. 2014; 46: 220-222.

To read the complete article, visit The Journal of Emergency Medicine.

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