The Desmoid Tumor Research Foundation

December 2019

Ruptured desmoid tumor imitating acute appendicitis – a rare reason for an emergency surgery

Author Information

Asenov Y(1), Genadiev S(2), Timev A(3), Panaiotova J(4), Hadjiiska V(5), Veselin T(6), Sedloev T(1).

(1)Dept of Surg, Medical Univ - Sofia, Univ Hosp "Queen Joanna", Sofia, BUL. (2)Dept of Vascular Surg, Multi-profile Hosp for Active Treatment "Uni Hosp", Panagiurishte, BUL. (3)Dept of Urology, Medical Univ - Sofia, Univ Hosp "Alex&rovska", Sofia, BUL. (4)Dept of Gynecology, Multi-profile Hosp for Active Treatment "Nadezhda", Sofia, BUL. (5)Dept of Nuclear Medicine, Medical Univ - Sofia, Univ Hosp "Alex&rovska", Sofia, BUL. (6)Dept of Pathology, Medical Univ - Sofia, Univ Hosp "Queen Joanna", Sofia, BUL.

Publication

BMC Surg

Summary

We report the case of a 27-year-old male patient presenting with the clinical picture of acute appendicitis. During the operation, we found a tumor in the jejunum with a necrotic zone and perforation on its surface, causing hemorrhagic effusion into the abdominal cavity and subsequent peritonitis. The tumor was removed with negative margins via resection of the small bowel. The final histological result showed aggressive fibromatosis. Aggressive fibromatosis remains a serious problem with the possibility of locally aggressive behavior with high rates of recurrence. Sometimes, its clinical and macroscopic recognition can be immensely tricky. As shown by our patient, on rare occasions, desmoid tumors can lead to acute surgical abdomen requiring an emergency operation.

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