Abdominal aortic aneurysm and acute appendicitis: a case report and review of the literature

BACKGROUND: Abdominal aortic aneurysm and acute appendicitis occur relatively frequently in elderly patients. However, the co-occurrence of the two pathologies is very rare and serious. CASE PRESENTATION: We present the case of an elderly Caucasian patient who was aware of having an abdominal aortic aneurysm but refused treatment and was subsequently admitted to the hospital’s emergency department with acute abdominal symptoms. A computed tomography scan raised the possibility of complication due to the characteristics of the aneurysm. The patient then agreed to emergency surgery. Laparotomy revealed the existence of an acute perforated appendicitis with a significant abscess in the right iliac fossa and an uncomplicated aneurysm. Appendectomy was performed and the abscess drained. The postoperative period passed without complications, and the patient again refused surgery for the aneurysm, which due to its anatomical characteristics was not a candidate for standard endovascular treatment. CONCLUSIONS: In light of this experience, we review the literature about the relationship between abdominal aortic aneurysm and acute appendicitis.