Perforated diverticulum of the caecum. A difficult preoperative diagnosis. Report of 2 cases and review of the literature.

BACKGROUND: Perforation of a solitary caecal diverticulum is a rare cause of acute abdomen and an uncommon differential diagnosis for acute appendicitis. Nine hundred cases have been described since Potiers' first description of perforated caecal diverticulum in 1912. METHODS: We describe 2 cases of perforated diverticulum of the caecum. The first patient was a 50-year-old man diagnosed by subsequent histology, and the second a 77-year-old woman diagnosed intra-operatively. Radiography, ultrasound and CT scan of the abdomen pointed at the diagnosis in the second case. A right hemicolectomy was performed. RESULTS: There were no complications, apart from a transient faecal fistula in the first patient managed conservatively. In both patients histology revealed a perforated caecal diverticulum. CONCLUSIONS: The surgeon must be familiar with the diagnosis and management of this rare, inflammatory benign caecal entity.