Vernix caseosa peritonitis: a mimic for post-partum appendicitis

Abstract

Vernix caseosa peritonitis is an uncommon pathology predominantly affecting post-partum women who have undergone caesarean section and has symptomatology identical to common intra-abdominal surgical pathology. Cross-sectional imaging may not differentiate this from an alternative aetiology, thus a broad range of differentials must be considered in the early post-partum patient. This case of a 26 year-old post-partum patient who underwent an appendicectomy for CT-confirmed appendicitis had a histological diagnosis of vernix caseosa peritonitis. This case demonstrates the diagnostic challenge of acute abdominal pain in the early post-partum period and the high index of suspicion that clinicians must have to reach these uncommon diagnoses.