Omental infarction

[Annie_777]

Has anyone been diagnosed with omental infarction?  I have an 8mm onental infarct and a few smaller ones.  ER on-call surgeon said no need for emergency surgery.  It's been day 5 now and the pain has got better but still there.  

How many days usually does it take for the pain to completely go away?  

Also, is it something that likely recur if the necrotic tissues are not taken out or underlying cause not addressed?

Will OI left untreated increase risks for appendicitis, pancreatitis, and/or gallbladder disease?

[Annie_777]

Thanks!  The pain has been settled down.  I did go to ER.  The ER doctor also sent me to my gyn doctor b/c she thinks that at least part of my abdominal pain that was thought to be GI-related is actually of gynocologic origin.  My gyn sent me to a pelvic ultrasound, which showed a cyst with very abnormally strong intratumoral blood flow.  I don't know what to make out of it, and I'm trying not to worry about it for now.  I have hx of rectal cancer (dx @35y/o) and endometriosis, so I'm at high risk for ovarian cancer.  I'll see my gyn again in 2 wks for endo biopsy, and f/u of tvus results.  She also wants to discuss gene testing & lynch syndrome with me.

[S. Kaul, MD]

Hi there!

The omentum is largely a connective tissue fold covering the lower GI; while infarction can be painful it may not be of vital importance unless severe of involving the GI as well which may need to be kept high in suspicion due to a common blood supply. The omental infarction does not increase the risk of GI inflammation. If the pain is severe, it would be advised to visit the ER for appropriate pain management. I would also recommend seeing a gastroenterologist for a lower GI evaluation and suggestion of a specific management plan.
Hope this is helpful.

Take care!