Clinical Study of Mass in Right ILIAC Fossa

Background A mass in the right iliac fossa is a common entity which is frequently encountered in clinical practice, requiring skill in diagnosis. The common swellings which occur in the right iliac fossa are appendicular lump, carcinoma of the caecum, ileocaecal tuberculosis and Crohn's disease. Most of the causes need surgical intervention and are curable. Although an extensive subject, this study was undertaken to unravel some of mystery of a mass in right iliac fossa. Aims The main intention of this study is to know the incidence, varying modes of presentation and management of these cases. Materials and methods Fifty patients with signs and symptoms of a right iliac fossa mass admitted to Mahatma Gandhi Hospital were included in this study. Results Our study showed that 62% of cases were related to appendicular pathology either in the form of appendicular mass (48%) or appendicular abscess (14%).16% of cases were of ileocaecal tuberculosis, 12% of cases were of Ca caecum and 10% of cases were of Psoas abscess. Conclusion In patients with appendicular mass, initially conservative management with Ochsner Sherren's regimen followed by interval appendicectomy had good results. Patients with appendicular abscess underwent immediate appendicectomy and the complications were less. Cases of ileocaecal tuberculosis received Anti Tubercular Therapy post operatively. Surgery was the mainstay of treatment for Ca caecum and Psoas abscess.