Abdominal symptoms in patients with hematological malignancies can occur due to an array of pathologies. Two diagnoses with similar presentation albeit, generally opposite treatment modalities, are typhlitis (inflammation of cecum) and acute appendicitis. Both diagnoses have to be kept in mind in such a patient presenting with right lower quadrant (RLQ) pain. Sagacious clinical judgment along with the aid of radiological imaging may help in differentiating between the two conditions. We present a case of a young male with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) on imatinib, diagnosed and started on therapy four years earlier, who presented with symptoms of RLQ pain not typical of acute appendicitis. The accurate diagnosis was made with the assistance of ultrasound (US) imaging and prompt surgical therapy was instituted followed by a smooth postoperative recovery.
Keywords: abdominal surgery; appendicitis; immunocompromised; leukemia; typhlitis.
Copyright © 2020, Ramzee et al.