Idiopathic primary omental infarction as a cause of an acute abdomen

Idiopathic primary omental infarction is a rare cause of acute abdomen whose symptoms may be similar to more common and serious causes, such as acute appendicitis. Although it is rare and its nonspecific presentation mimics other pathologies, the diagnosis is rarely considered among differential diagnoses of right-side acute abdominal pain during childhood, especially if symptoms do not correspond to acute appendicitis. With the increasing use of imaging studies for the evaluation of acute abdomen cases, it can increasingly be diagnosed before surgery. Conservative treatment and surgery are the only treatment options for omental infarction, but there is no consensus regarding their effectiveness. Because omental infarction is a self-limited condition that can be managed conservatively with pain relievers and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, achieving complete resolution of symptoms without exposing the patient to intraoperative risks and postoperative morbidity. We present a case of idiopathic primary omental infarction as a cause of an acute abdomen.