Omental Infarct: An Uncommon Etiology of Acute Abdomen

Abstract

Omental infarction is a rare cause of acute abdomen that occurs from the compromised vascular supply to a portion of the omentum, leading to ischemic necrosis of fatty tissue. It may occur secondary to torsion, venous thrombosis, or trauma and frequently mimics more common surgical conditions such as appendicitis. Because the greater omentum spares a wide area, abdominal pain resulting from greater omental infarction can manifest in different regions of the abdomen.

This case report describes a 48-year-old male patient who presented to the OPD with a 2-month history of intermittent acute abdominal pain localized to the right iliac fossa. Although initial clinical assessment suggested an inflammatory etiology, but contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) of the abdomen demonstrated characteristic features of omental infarction in the right iliac fossa. This case underscores the need to include omental infarction in the differential diagnosis of persistent right iliac fossa pain. It highlights the role of CT imaging in achieving an accurate diagnosis, facilitating appropriate conservative management and preventing unnecessary surgical intervention.