A plastron is a large pad that protects the chest of a fencer. Plastron appendicitis refers to a pad of fat encasing the appendix.
Features of plastron appendicitis:
(1) severe periappendicitis or abscess formation (after appendiceal rupture)
(2) encasement of the area by omentum and adhesions forming a mass
Because the area of inflammation is walled off it can persist for some time. There may be chronic abdominal pain or diarrhea.
The subsequent distortion of the region may mimic carcinoma or other conditions on imaging studies. It may show uptake on FDG PET scans.
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Specialty: Gastroenterology
