Emerg Radiol. 2015 Aug;22(4):431-6. doi: 10.1007/s10140-015-1302-0. Epub 2015 Mar 1.
Tonerini M1, Calcagni F, Lorenzi S, Scalise P, Grigolini A, Bemi P.
The segmental omental infarction is a rare self-limited disorder presenting with aspecific clinical symptoms that may mimic several acute abdominal conditions. Therefore, a correct noninvasive diagnosis is important because treatment approaches range from monitoring to surgery. As omental infarction results in an important fat stranding that is much greater than the degree of bowel wall thickening, it suggests a narrower differential diagnosis: appendicitis, diverticulitis, epiploic appendagitis, and mesenteric panniculitis. In this pictorial essay, we point out the importance of imaging in identifying this typical sign allowing alternate diagnoses such as segmental omental infarction that can be conservatively managed.