Clinical Scenario

A 68-year-old woman presents with a 3-day history of left iliac fossa pain, fever of 38.8°C, nausea, and altered bowel habit. She has a long history of constipation. On examination there is tenderness and guarding in the left iliac fossa with a palpable mass. CRP is 187 mg/L and WBC is 14.2 × 10⁹/L. CT abdomen is performed.