Gastrointestinal manifestations related to infection with SARS-COV-2: Appendicular syndrome (A case report)

Elbakouri, Abdelilah; El Azhary, Abdessamad; Bouali, Mounir; Bensardi, Fatimazahra; Elhattabi, Khalid; Fadil, Abdelaziz

INTRODUCTION: The clinical symptomatology of SARS-CoV-2 disease may manifest as an appendicular syndrome. The abdominal CT scan can be used to rule out or confirm the diagnosis of acute appendicitis and a chest CT scan can make the diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 infection. OBSERVATION: We report the observation of a 30-year-old patient, with no particular pathological history, who presented with appendicular syndrome without extra-digestive signs, and especially, without respiratory syndrome. The CRP was at 35mg/l. A thoracoabdominal CT scan was requested to detect an eventual appendicitis. With three straight frosted glass areas on the thoracic area suggesting COVID 19 infectious pneumopathy, a PCR was requested to detect a positive SARS-CoV-2 viral RNA, then the patient was appendectomized. Post-operative follow-up was simple and the patient was transferred to a department dedicated to covid-19-positive patients for further management. CONCLUSION: CT scan is necessary before considering emergency surgery for acute appendicitis because it can change the patient's management circuit.