Clinico-patho-radiological study of mass in the right iliac fossa

Background: Sparse recent data are available regarding the aetiological causes of the right iliac fossa (RIF) mass from Andhra Pradesh. Methods: We prospectively studied the clinical presentation, diagnosis and management of consecutive cases (n = 100) presenting to our tertiary care teaching hospital with a RIF mass over 2 years. Results: Majority of RIF masses were seen in the third and fourth decades of life, and the male-to-female ratio was 2.8:1; 64% of the cases were due to appendicular pathology (appendicular mass [48%] and appendicular abscess [16%]), followed by ileocaecal tuberculosis (TB) (12%) and carcinoma caecum (10%) among others. Carcinoma caecum was more common in males (70%) as compared to females (30%). The majority (78%) were managed surgically; 4% died. Post-operative complications included wound infection and respiratory tract infection. Conclusions: Our observations suggest that appendicular pathology, ileocaecal TB and carcinoma caecum are common aetiological causes for RIF mass. Abdominal ultrasonography and computed tomography will facilitate early localisation.