Article

A 26-yr-old man with a C4 American Spinal Injury Association impairment scale B
spinal cord injury was admitted due to a left calf pressure ulcer. The patient's
initial laboratory results and physical examination findings were unremarkable,
except for a stage IV pressure ulcer. On day 7, the patient developed fever and
leukocytosis. A complete culture workup performed did not yield abnormalities. A
computed tomography scan of the abdomen and pelvis revealed retrocecal
appendicitis with a retrocecal abscess containing an appendicolith. The abscess
was drained percutaneously, and the patient was given a 6-wk course of
intravenous antibiotics. The patient returned to the hospital 30 days later for
an appendectomy. Typical signs of appendicitis can be masked in patients with a
spinal cord injury. It is crucial to include appendicitis in the differential
diagnosis of this population, even though the presentation is as nonspecific as
fever and leukocytosis.

Langue : ANGLAIS