Unusual histopathological findings in appendectomy specimens: A retrospective analysis and literature review

Langerhans cell histiocytosis masquerading as acute appendicitis: Case report and review

Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) is a rare syndrome characterized by unifocal, multifocal unisystem, or disseminated/multi-system disease that commonly involves the bone, skin, lymph nodes, pituitary, or sometimes lung (almost exclusively in smokers) causing a variety of symptoms from rashes and bone lesions to diabetes insipidus or pulmonary infiltrates. We present a previously unreported case of gastrointestinal LCH as well as a novel characteristic lesion affecting the colon of a young woman who presented with signs and symptoms mimicking acute on chronic appendicitis. Immunohistochemical analysis of appendectomy specimen and nodular specimens on colonoscopy demonstrated S-100, CD1a, and langerin reactivity. The patient underwent systemic chemotherapy with cytarabine and demonstrated excellent response to therapy.

Incidental Findings in Routine Histopathological Examination of Appendectomy Specimens; Retrospective Analysis of 1970 Patients

Diseases and tumors of the appendix vermiformis are very rare, except for acute appendicitis. This study aimed to examine rare findings in the histopathologic examinations of specimens of patients undergoing appendectomy due to the diagnosis of acute appendicitis. The files of 1970 patients undergoing appendectomy due to the diagnosis of acute appendicitis between March 2012 and March 2016 were retrospectively investigated. Rare findings were found in 59 (3 %) patients, and these were evaluated in detail. Patients' age, gender, pathology reports, and postoperation follow-ups were recorded. The rare histopathological findings of 59 patients were examined. Of these, 31 were female (52.5 %) and 28 were male (47.5 %). The average age was 33.1 ± 18.2 years. The unusual findings were as follows: 16 fibrous obliteration, 11 Enterobius vermicularis, 2 schistosomiasis, 3 appendiceal neuroma, 2 granulomatous appendicitis, 1 Crohn's disease, 3 chronic appendicitis, 1 endometriosis, 2 hyperplastic polyps, 9 mucinous cystadenoma (+mucocele), 8 carcinoid tumors, and 1 lymphoma. All of the malignant tumors were localized in the distal end of the appendix, and all of the patients were treated with appendectomy. Patients with parasitic diseases also underwent anthelmintic treatment, while chemotherapy was administered to the patient with lymphoma. All of the patients diagnosed with malignancy were alive reported no problems at their follow-ups. Although all of the appendectomy samples were normal macroscopically, data from this study suggest that all specimens should be sent for routine investigation.

Incidental finding of lymphoma after septoplasty

Introduction:

Septoplasty, or surgical correction of the deviated septum, is an elective, routinely performed rhinologic procedure to address nasal airway obstruction. In many cases, resected septal cartilage and bone fragments are sent for pathologic review, although there is no consensus on this practice. We reported two cases of incidentally diagnosed lymphoma after elective septoplasty and discussed clinical presentation, diagnosis, and management.

Methods:

Retrospective chart review of two patients who underwent septoplasty at a tertiary academic medical center and found to have incidental lymphoma based on histopathology.

Results:

Two patients who underwent septoplasty had an incidental diagnosis of lymphoma on pathologic analysis. One patient was noted to have an S-shaped septal deviation that produced bilateral nasal obstruction. She underwent a difficult septoplasty, in which the mucoperichondrial flap was firmly adherent to the underlying septum and bone. Final pathology demonstrated diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. She was treated with chemoradiation and remained free of disease at 59 months. The other patient had a history of nasal trauma, which produced left septal deviation. He underwent an uncomplicated septoplasty, with pathology that demonstrated low-grade B-cell lymphoma. Because there was no evidence of active disease, the decision was made to not treat and to observe the patient clinically.

Conclusions:

This is the first reported series of septal lymphoma incidentally diagnosed on routine septoplasty. Although histopathologic review of specimens from routine nasal and sinus surgery is not routinely performed, this report highlighted the importance of this process, on a case-by-case basis, in detecting unexpected malignancies that otherwise were clinically silent.

Pyosalpinx causing acute appendicitis in a 32-year-old Cameroonian female: a case report

Background

Pyosalpinx as a cause of acute appendicitis is very rare. We report the first case of a right pyosalpinx causing an extrinsic compression of the appendiceal lumen and consequently an acute appendicitis following an obstruction.

Case presentation

A 32 year old female from the North west region of Cameroon, presented with an acute exacerbation of a mild chronic right iliac fossa pain over a 2 day duration. She underwent exploratory laparotomy and intraoperative findings were a bilateral pyosalpinx, with the right fallopian tube adhering to the caecum and the terminal ileum, and obstructing the lumen of an inflammed appendix. A classical appendectomy and a right salpingectomy were done. The post-operative period was uneventful and she returned after 2 weeks for a follow-up visit with no further complaints.

Conclusion

We describe to the best of our knowledge, the first case of an acute appendicitis caused by an extrinsic obstruction of the appendiceal lumen by a pyosalpinx. The close proximity of the caecum to the right fallopian tube most likely accounted for this occurrence. Although a rare entity, physicians should always keep in mind very rare causes of an acute appendicitis to guide management. This case highlights the shortcomings of pelvic ultrasonography in the diagnosis this condition. A pelvic computed tomography scanning should therefore be sought in case of a doubtful pelvic ultrasonography result. Finally, there is an urgent need to improve the awareness on sexually transmitted infections in our setting.

Is Enterobius vermicularis infestation associated with acute appendicitis?

PURPOSE

Enterobius vermicularis might be seen in specimens of patients who underwent surgery due to acute appendicitis. There is still debate as to E. vermicularis infestation causes acute appendicitis. The primary aim of this study is to determine the incidence of E. vermicularis infestation, and the secondary aim is to determine the possible role of E. vermicularis in pathogenesis of appendicitis as well as the adequacy of demographic data and laboratory values in predicting infestation preoperatively.

METHODS

A retrospective investigation was conducted with all patients who underwent appendectomy due to acute appendicitis in a secondary care center. Patients with E. vermicularis were compared with 24 controls that underwent appendectomy during the same time period. Demographic data, preoperative white blood cell (WBC) count, eosinophil counts, and histopathological findings for both groups were analyzed and compared.

RESULTS

Enterobius vermicularis was detected in the appendectomy materials in 9 of 1446 patients (0.62 %). Histopathologically, only one of nine patients had acute appendicitis while the others were diagnosed with lymphoid hyperplasia. There were no statistically significant differences between the groups except WBC count. However, the WBC count was significantly (p < 0.05) lower in the group which was detected E. vermicularis.

CONCLUSIONS

Enterobius vermicularis is rarely associated with the histopathological findings of acute appendicitis. Also eosinophil count and elevation of white blood counts are inadequate for predicting preoperative E. vermicularis.

Histopathological correlations of appendectomies: a clinical audit of a single center

BACKGROUND

Acute appendicitis is a common presentation in surgical assessment units and appendectomy accounts for a large number of emergency operations in the UK. Histopathological examination of the appendectomy specimens are routinely carried out. The aim of this study is to correlate the histological findings of appendectomy specimens with the clinical diagnosis of acute appendicitis.

METHODS

This is a retrospective analysis of 238 appendectomies carried out in a single UK center between January and December 2013. The Histopathology reports of appendectomy specimens were retrieved.

RESULTS

A total of 238 appendectomies were performed during the study period. The mean age of the patients was 32 years (range, 7-81 years). Adult patients (>16 years) represented 79.4% of the study population. The female sex accounted for 46.6% of all the patients. Of the 238 resected appendix, 211 (88.7%) had histopathology findings consistent with appendicitis. Approximately 1.7% of the 238 specimens were abnormal pathologies other than inflammation of the appendix. The negative appendectomy (normal appendix on histology) rate was 11.3%. The female sex accounted for 59.1% of the negative appendectomies. Adults (>16 years) represented 77.8% of the negative appendectomies.

CONCLUSIONS

The observed high rates of negative appendectomy in the female sex can be reduced by utilizing combined clinical assessment and diagnostic imaging modalities. The findings of abnormal pathologies on histopathological examination of the appendix which could potentially impact on the management of the patients justify the current practice of routine histopathological examination of resected appendix.

Unexpected Histopathological Findings in Appendectomy Specimens: a Retrospective Study of 1627 Cases

Pathologic evaluation of the appendix after appendectomy is routine and can occasionally identify unexpected findings. The aim of the present study was to determine the incidence and type of pathologic diagnoses found in appendectomy specimens at our institution. The clinicopathological data of 1627 patients who underwent appendectomies for presumed acute appendicitis from January 2008 to October 2014 were reviewed retrospectively. There were 986 men and 641 women (sex ratio M/F = 1.5) aged between 16 months and 90 years (mean = 30 years). All patients underwent appendectomy (either open or laparoscopic). Histological examination of the surgical specimen showed acute inflammation of the appendix in 1455 cases (89.42 %), fibrosed appendix in 37 cases (2.27 %), and Enterobius vermicularis (n = 23). In 101 cases (6.2 %), the appendix was histologically normal. Incidental unexpected pathological diagnoses were noted in 57 appendectomy specimens. They included pinworm (n = 23), mucinous neoplasms (n = 12), neuroendocrine tumors (NET) (n = 8), adenocarcinoma (n = 2), granulomatous inflammation (n = 5), tuberculosis (n = 2), hyperplastic polyp (n = 1), tubular adenoma (n = 1), diverticulitis (n = 1), endometriosis (n = 1), and actinomycosis (n = 1). The routine histopathological examination of the appendix is of value for identifying unsuspected conditions requiring further postoperative management. Gross examination alone does not appear to be a good indicator of an unexpected finding on microscopic exam. It is recommended that in order to avoid misdiagnoses, all appendices should be histopathologically examined.

An evaluation of the relationship between Enterobius vermicularis infestation and acute appendicitis in a paediatric population--A retrospective cohort study

BACKGROUND

Enterobius vermicularis is an often unexpected finding in appendectomy specimen, most commonly seen in paediatric cases. Predicting the presence of E. vermicularis in the setting of appendectomy is important to avoid unnecessary appendectomy and associated morbidity. We sought to identify the incidence of E. vermicularis in a paediatric population undergoing appendectomy for clinically suspected acute appendicitis and identify predictive factors for E. vermicularis.

METHODS

This study was performed in an 800-bed University Teaching Hospital, in the Republic of Ireland. We identified all paediatric appendectomies performed at our institute from January to December 2012 using prospectively maintained operating theatre logbooks. In-hospital Histopathology database, medical notes and operative findings were reviewed for each patient and relevant data recorded. Statistical analysis was performed using IBM SPSS, version 21.

RESULTS

In total 182 paediatric appendectomies were performed during the year 2012 for clinically suspected acute appendicitis. Demographics included: Mean age 11.14 years (3-16), gender 1M: 1F. 58.8% of procedures were completed laparoscopically, 39% open and 2.2% were converted. The negative appendectomy rate was 22.5%. The annual incidence of E. vermicularis in acute appendicitis specimen from a paediatric cohort at our institute was 7% (1 in 14). In specimen containing E. vermicularis, 69% had no evidence of appendicitis and of those that had, no gangrene or perforation was seen. The presence of E. vermicularis in paediatric patients with RIF pain may be predicted by Eosinophilia (p = 0.016), normal WCC (p = 0.034) and normal Neutrophil count (p = 0.014).

CONCLUSIONS

E. vermicularis is responsible for 7% of acute appendicitis. It is responsible for a significantly higher negative appendectomy rate which if predicted may avoid unnecessary appendectomy and associated morbidity.

The Frequency of Enterobius Vermicularis Infections in Patients Diagnosed With Acute Appendicitis in Pakistan

INTRODUCTION

The main aim of this study was to determine the frequency of Enterobius vermicularis infections and other unique histopathological findings in patients diagnosed with acute appendicitis.

MATERIALS

This retrospective study was conducted in a tertiary care hospital of Karachi, Pakistan over a time period of 9 years from 2005 to 2013. The recorded demographic and histopathological data for the 2956 appendectomies performed during this time frame were extracted using a structured template form. Negative and incidental appendectomies were excluded from the study.

RESULTS

Out of the 2956 patients diagnosed with acute appendicitis, 84 (2.8%) patients had Enterobius vermicularis infections. Malignancy (n=2, 0.1%) and infection with Ascaris (n=1, 0.1%) was found very rarely among the patients.Eggs in lumen (n=22, 0.7%), mucinous cystadenoma (n=28, 1.0%), mucocele (n=11, 0.4%), lymphoma (n=9, 0.3%), obstruction in lumen (n=17, 0.6%) and purulent exudate (n=37, 1.3%) were also seldom seen in the histopathological reports.

CONCLUSION

Enterobius vermicularis manifestation is a rare overall but a leading parasitic cause of appendicitis. Steps such as early diagnosis and regular de worming may help eradicate the need for surgeries.

Incidence and outcomes of unexpected pathology findings after appendectomy

PURPOSE

Pathologic evaluation of the appendix after appendectomy is routine and can identify unexpected findings. We evaluated our experience in children undergoing appendectomy to review the clinical course of patients with unexpected appendiceal pathology.

METHODS

After IRB approval, a retrospective review was conducted on patients who underwent appendectomy from January 1, 1995 to March 1, 2011. Patient demographics, diagnosis, pathological findings, disease outcomes, and treatment were collected only on patients with abnormal pathology.

RESULTS

3602 patients underwent appendectomy. 113 patients had normal appendices, and 86 patients had unexpected findings, including carcinoid tumor (n=9), pinworm (n=34), granuloma (n=14), eosinophilic infiltrates (n=18), and other (n=11). All cases of carcinoid tumor were completely resected, with no recurrence or need for reoperation. Of the 34 patients with pinworm infestation, 41.2% underwent antimicrobial therapy, and none had post-operative symptoms. One patient (7%) with an appendiceal granuloma developed Crohn's disease. Three patients (16.7%) with eosinophilia developed symptomatic intestinal eosinophilia.

CONCLUSIONS

Pediatric appendiceal carcinoid is an incidental finding; in this series, none required further intervention. Appendiceal granulomas are not commonly associated with developing Crohn's disease in the short term. Routine antibiotics for the treatment of pinworms are adequate. Patients with appendiceal eosinophilia may develop symptomatic intestinal eosinophilia.

Histopathological findings in appendectomy specimens: a study of 24,697 cases

PURPOSE

Appendicitis is by far the commonest major emergency general surgical operation. Histopathological examination of the appendix is routinely performed.

METHODS

This study is a retrospective analysis of 24,697 appendectomies performed from January 2003 to December 2011. Pathological reports were analyzed for the following parameters: age, gender, and pathological diagnosis.

RESULTS

Appendectomy specimens represent 17 % of all pathological reports. Acute appendicitis was present in 19,637 (79.5 %) patients. The perforation rate was 6.3 % and was significantly higher in adult patients. The negative appendectomy rate was 15 % and was significantly higher in female and adult patients. The incidence of negative appendectomies had clearly decreased over the 9-year period distribution. Incidental unexpected pathological diagnoses were noted in 226 (0.9 %) appendectomy specimens. Neoplastic lesions were present in 171 cases (0.7 %); they include carcinoid, adenocarcinoma, and mucinous neoplasms.

CONCLUSIONS

Routine pathological examination of appendectomy specimens is expensive. With advances in technology and imaging modalities, the diagnosis of acute appendicitis has improved, with a subsequent significant reduction in negative appendectomy. There are still a number of unusual diagnoses found in appendicectomy specimens supporting the continued use of routine histology.

Faecolith examination for spectrum of parasitic association in appendicitis

BACKGROUND

The appendix is a vestigial organ which is infiltrated by faecal material, microbes and parasites. The most important aetio-pathology of appendicitis is obstruction of its lumen, by a faecolith. This results from accumulation and inspissation of faecal matter around vegetable fibres. The cause for appendicitis is numerous and one among them is parasitic infestation.

AIMS

To analyze the faecolith present in the appendectomy specimen for parasites and to compare the results in fresh and preserved specimens.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Patients with acute/chronic appendicitis were subjected for surgery and the appendectomy specimens were collected in saline and formalin suspensions, for preservation purposes. The lumen was washed with normal saline and contents were collected and wet mount preparations were examined under low and high power microscopy.

RESULTS

Among 100 specimens 48 faecolith analyses proved to be positive for parasitic association, giving 48% positivity, which is quite high. The commonest isolate was followed by mixed infection. In our study we observed that saline preparations were easy for handling and we were also able to demonstrate the undistorted morphology of parasite better than formalin preserved specimens.

CONCLUSION

This study reveals the importance of analyzing the appendectomy specimen for understanding the etiopathogenisis of appendicitis in spite of having a negative stool microscopy. A post surgical analysis of appendectomy specimen may surprise you with different etiological agents as confirmed by our study.

Metastatic cholangiocarcinoma as a cause of appendicitis: a case report and literature review

Metastatic carcinoma that causes appendicitis is extremely rare. To our knowledge, metastatic cholangiocarcinoma in the appendix has been reported in only 1 case in the English literature. We report herein the case of an 87-year-old woman who presented with abdominal pain and jaundice. Advanced cholangiocellular carcinoma and a proximal appendiceal mass with appendicitis were detected on contrast-enhanced computed tomography and positron emission tomography/computed tomography. After elective laparoscopic appendectomy and wedge resection of the cecum, pathologic results revealed metastatic adenocarcinoma from extrahepatic cholangiocellular carcinoma in the appendix.

De Garengeot's hernia: diagnosis and surgical management of a rare type of femoral hernia

De Garengeot's hernia is quite rare and is a femoral hernia that contains a vermiform appendix and can present as a painful, tender swelling or an asymptomatic lump. We present the case of a 70-year-old patient who presented to our surgical unit after being referred for diagnostic imaging of an asymptomatic groin lump which was found to be a De Garengeot's hernia. She had an open repair of her femoral hernia and laparoscopic appendicectomy. Her post-operative stay was uneventful. De Garengeot's hernia is rare; however, imaging is usually required to make a diagnosis preoperatively. Management is usually surgical with simultaneous repair of the femoral hernia and appendicectomy.

Unusual findings in appendectomy specimens of adults: retrospective analyses of 1466 patients and a review of literature

BACKGROUND

Diseases and tumors of the appendix vermiformis are very rare, except acute appendicitis.

OBJECTIVES

This retrospective study was conducted to document the unusual findings in appendectomy specimens.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Data of 1466 adult patients were gathered retrospectively. Appendectomy was performed in 1169 and in 297 patients following a diagnosis of acute appendicitis and during other abdominal operations, respectively. The data of 57 (3.88 %) patients who were pathologically reported to have unusual appendix findings were retrospectively collected. The records were analyzed according to patients' age, gender, clinical presentations, operative reports, pathological reports and follow up.

RESULTS

Unusual pathologic examination findings were detected in the appendectomy specimens of 57 patients with a mean age of 48.34 ± 19. Twenty-nine patients (50.8 %) were male and 28 (49.2 %) were female. Normal appendix tissues were observed in specimens of 26 (45.6 %) patients and inflamed appendix in 31 (54.3 %). The most common unusual finding was parasitic diseases of the intestine. Pathological diagnosis of malignancy and benign features were reported in specimens of 14 and 43 patients, respectively. Macroscopic evaluation of appendectomy specimens during surgery might result in negligence of the presence of unusual pathology.

CONCLUSIONS

Even if the macroscopic appearance of the specimen is normal or acute appendicitis, we suggest routine histopathological examination.

Delay to surgery does not influence the pathological outcome of acute appendicitis

INTRODUCTION

Emergency surgery is performed on patients with appendicitis in the belief that inflammation of the appendix may progress to necrosis and perforation. Many cases of appendicitis, however, resolve with conservative treatment, and necrotic appendicitis may represent a different disease rather than the end result of inflammation of the appendix. We wished to explore the relationship between the interval to surgery after admission to hospital with appendicitis and the proportion of patients developing necrosis.

METHODS

Appendicectomy operations performed between 2005 and 2010 were reviewed. End points included age, sex, interval from admission to surgery, and final pathological diagnosis.

RESULTS

A total of 2403 evaluable patients were identified (1266 females). Necrotic appendicitis occurred more commonly in children (17.5%) and the elderly (25.4%) compared with adults (10.5%). The median interval to surgery of patients with normal histology (17.1 h) was longer than the time to removal of inflamed (13 h) or necrotic (13.5 h) appendices (p < 0.001).The ratio of necrotic to inflamed appendicitis in the entire cohort was 0.24. Multivariate analysis reveals that necrosis of the appendix is more common in children and the elderly and that the proportion of patients with necrosis does not change with increasing interval to surgery.

DISCUSSION

Our observations show that appendicitis is not more likely to lead to perforation if a short delay prior to surgery is allowed. In addition, our findings add weight to the increasing volume of data showing that necrosis of the appendix is a disease different from simple inflammation.

Routine histopathologic examination of appendectomy specimens: retrospective analysis of 1255 patients

The objective of this study was to analyze the clinical benefit of histopathologic analysis of appendectomy specimens from patients with an initial diagnosis of acute appendicitis. We retrospectively analyzed the demographic and histopathologic data of 1255 patients (712 males, 543 females; age range, 17-85 years) who underwent appendectomy to treat an initial diagnosis of acute appendicitis. Patients who underwent incidental appendectomy during other surgeries were excluded from the study. Histopathologic findings of the appendectomy specimens were used to confirm the initial diagnosis. Ninety-four percent of the appendectomy specimens were positive for appendicitis. Of those, 880 were phlegmonous appendicitis, 148 were gangrenous appendicitis with perforation, and the remaining 88 showed unusual histopathologic findings. In the 88 specimens with unusual pathology, fibrous obliteration was observed in 57 specimens, carcinoid tumor in 11, Encheliophis vermicularis parasite infection in 8, granulatomous inflammation in 6, appendiceal endometriosis in 2, and 1 specimen each showed mucocele, eosinophilic infiltration, Taenia saginata parasite infection, and appendicular diverticulitis. All carcinoid tumors were located in the distal appendix. Six of the 11 carcinoid tumors were defined by histopathology as involving tubular cells, and the other 5 as involving enterochromaffin cells. Six patients had muscularis propria invasion, 2 patients had submucosa invasion, 2 patients had mesoappendix invasion, and 1 patient had serosal invasion. All patients with tumors remained disease free during the follow-up (range, 1-27 months). We conclude that when the ratio of unusual pathologic findings for appendectomy specimens is considered, it is evident that all surgical specimens should be subjected to careful histologic examination.

Multidrug-resistant tubercular appendicitis: Report of a case

Acute tubercular appendicitis has remained a rare disease despite frequent cases of tuberculosis. The following study reports a patient with multidrug-resistant (MDR) pulmonary tuberculosis that developed acute appendicitis. Histopathology of the appendix was compatible with tuberculosis. The patient had a good outcome after surgery and medical therapy.

Unusual histopathological findings in appendectomy specimens from patients with suspected acute appendicitis

AIM: To investigate the prevalence and implications of unusual histopathological findings in appendectomy specimens from patients with suspected acute appendicitis.

METHODS: The demographic and histopathological data of 1621 patients (≥ 16 years-old) who underwent appendectomy to treat an initial diagnosis of acute appendicitis between January 1999 and November 2011 were retrospectively assessed. Microscopic findings were used to classify the patients under six categories: appendix vermiformis, phlegmonous appendicitis, gangrenous appendicitis, perforated appendicitis, supurative appendicitis, and unusual histopathologic findings. The demographic and clinicopathologic characteristics of patients with unusual histopathologic findings were evaluated in detail, and re-analysis of archived resected appendix specimens was carried out.

RESULTS: A total of 912 males and 709 females, from 16 to 94 years old, were included in the study and comprised 789 cases of suppurative appendicitis, 370 cases of appendix vermiformis, 243 cases of perforated gangrenous appendicitis, 53 cases of flegmaneous appendicitis, 32 cases of gangrenous appendicitis, and 134 (8.3%) cases of unusual histopathological findings. The unusual histopathological findings included fibrous obliteration (n = 62), enterobius vermicularis (n = 31), eosinophilic infiltration (n = 10), mucinous cystadenoma (n = 8), carcinoid tumor (n = 6), granulomatous inflammation (n = 5), adenocarcinoma (n = 4; one of them mucinous), and mucocele (n = 3), adenomatous polyp (n = 1), taenia sup (n = 1), ascaris lumbricoides (n = 1), appendiceal diverticula (n = 1), and B cell non-hodgkin lymphoma (n = 1). None of the 11 patients with subsequent diagnosis of tumor were suspected of cancer prior to the appendectomy.

CONCLUSION: Even when the macroscopic appearance of appendectomy specimens is normal, histopathological assessment will allow early diagnosis of many unusual diseases.

Unusual Histopathological Findings in Childhood Appendectomy Specimens

The purpose of this study was to find the unusual findings in the childhood appendectomy specimens and their incidence. The clinicopathological data of 1,306 patients whose ages ranged from 3 to 16 were retrospectively collected. Histopathological findings in appendectomy specimens taken from patients who had a prediagnosis of appendicitis were obtained. Incidental appendectomies were not included in the research. Unusual findings were reevaluated in the histopathological assessment of appendectomy specimens. The number of patients whose pathological findings are considered unusual is 25 (1.91 %). Nine of the patients were girls and 16 of them were boys. Their ages ranged from 6 to 15. Pathological results revealed that there were 16 (1.22 %) cases of parasitosis, 3 (0.23 %) cases of granulomatosis, 3 (0.23 %) cases of eosinophilic appendicitis, 2 (0.15 %) cases of carcinoid tumors, and 1 (0.08 %) case of appendiceal non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. All patients underwent a standard appendectomy. Uncommon histopathological findings in childhood appendectomy specimens are more common than those in adulthood. This kind of certain unexpected lesions of the appendix may require advanced diagnostics, careful clinical care, follow-up for years, and a multidisciplinary approach. Therefore, histopathological examinations of appendectomy specimens must be performed routinely.

Tumor staging but not grading is associated with adverse clinical outcome in neuroendocrine tumors of the appendix: a retrospective clinical pathologic analysis of 138 cases

Appendiceal neuroendocrine neoplasms (NENs) are rare and usually incidentally discovered. Most cases are clinically indolent, although the rare aggressive ones are poorly predictable. The aim of this study was to test the applicability and prognostic significance of the new World Health Organization (WHO) classification and to test the several pathologic features and TNM staging systems (American Joint Committee on Cancer and European Neuroendocrine Tumor Society) in these tumors. A multi-institutional retrospective series of 138 appendiceal NENs was selected on the basis of the availability of both pathologic material and clinical information, including follow-up data. All cases were reviewed to record pathologic features and to apply year 2000 and 2010 WHO classifications, as well as European Neuroendocrine Tumor Society and American Joint Committee on Cancer TNM stages. Clinical and pathologic characteristics were compared with disease outcome by contingency, univariate, and multivariate survival analyses. Although up to one third of cases presented several malignancy-associated pathologic features, only 4 patients died of the disease. Adverse outcome was significantly associated with extramural extension (including mesoappendix), well-differentiated carcinoma diagnosis (2000 WHO classification), pT3-4 stage, older age, and presence of positive resection margins, but not with tumor size, mitotic or proliferative indexes, and, consequently, 2010 WHO grading. In the appendix, at variance with midgut/hindgut NENs, the 2000 WHO classification performs better than the grading-based 2010 WHO scheme and, together with tumor stage, is the most relevant parameter associated with clinical aggressiveness.

Incidental appendectomy in donors undergoing hepatectomy for living-donor liver transplantation

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study was to investigate the morbidity associated with appendectomy in living liver donors undergoing hepatectomy.

METHODS

The medical records of 338 donors who underwent hepatectomies for living-donor liver transplantation between 2008 and 2010 were reviewed retrospectively. The patients were divided into 2 groups on the basis of appendectomy: patients in group A (n = 126) received incidental appendectomies in conjunction with donor hepatectomy, and those in group B (n = 212) underwent hepatectomy alone.

RESULTS

No significant difference in age, gender, or body mass index was found between groups. The wound infection rate (P = .037) and length of hospital stay (P = .0038) were higher in group A than in group B. Intraoperative findings in 126 donors in group A were subserosal (n = 4), retrocecal (n = 6), or hard nodular (n = 11) appendix; hyperemic appendix with edema (n = 9); appendix length ≥ 8 cm (n = 18); and palpable fecalith (n = 78). Histopathologic examination of appendix specimens revealed lymphoid hyperplasia with a fecalith (n = 32), fecalith only (n = 32), acute appendicitis (n = 20), normal anatomy (n = 18), fibrous obliteration (n = 9), lymphoid hyperplasia (n = 9), Enterobius vermicularis (n = 3), appendiceal neuroma (n = 1), carcinoid tumor (n = 1), and mucoceles (n = 1).

CONCLUSION

Although incidental appendectomy increased the wound infection rate and length of hospital stay, this procedure is necessary for the prevention of potential complications due to appendicitis when the exploration of the ileocecal region in patients undergoing donor hepatectomy reveals one or more of the following: appendix length ≥ 8 cm; dropsical, hyperemic, subserosal, nodular, and/or retrocecal appendix; and/or palpable fecaloma.

Appendicitis: changing perspectives

Neoplasms are an uncommon finding after appendectomy, with malignant tumors occurring in less than 1% of the surgical specimens, and carcinoid being the most frequent malignancy. A negative or inconclusive ultrasound is not adequate to rule out appendicitis and should be followed by CT scan. For pregnant patients, MRI is a reasonable alternative to CT scan. Nonoperative treatment with antibiotics is safe as an initial treatment of uncomplicated appendicitis, with a significant decrease in complications but a high failure rate. Open and laparoscopic appendectomies for appendicitis provide similar results overall, although the laparoscopic technique may be advantageous for obese and elderly patients but may be associated with a higher incidence of intraabdominal abscess. Preoperative diagnostic accuracy is of utmost importance during pregnancy because a negative appendectomy is associated with a significant incidence of fetal loss. The increased morbidity associated with appendectomy delay suggests that prompt surgical intervention remains the safest approach. Routine incidental appendectomy should not be performed except in selected cases. Interval appendectomy is not indicated because of considerable risks of complications and lack of any clinical benefit. Patients older than 40 years with an appendiceal mass or abscess treated nonoperatively should routinely have a colonoscopy as part of their follow-up to rule out cancer or alternative diagnosis.

The role of laparoscopy in suspicious abdomen pain in children

OBJECTIVE

Abdominal pain is a frequently encountered problem in children. Suspicious right lower quadrant pains are sometimes a problem for pediatric surgeons. In this study, we wanted to evaluate the effectiveness of laparoscopy in diagnosis and treatment of children with suspicion of abdominal pain.

METHODS

The files of 84 patients treated with a diagnosis of suspicious right lower quadrant peritonitis between 2005 and 2011 were investigated. Laparoscopic exploration was performed for all cases with right lower quadrant pain where the appendix was not seen on USG/CT and the cause of acute abdomen could not be determined.

RESULTS

In this process, 84 patients consisting of 60 (71%) females and 24 (29%) males were included in the study. The mean age was 10.5 years (7-16 years). Appendicitis was determined during diagnostic laparoscopy in 35 (41.6%) patients. The appendix was normal in the remaining 49 (58.3%) patients. In 36 of these patients, gynecological diseases were encountered on pathology as the most frequent cause of the acute abdomen. The appendix was preserved in patients where the cause of the abdominal pain was explained.

CONCLUSION

Laparoscopy can be used in the diagnosis and treatment of patients with suspected acute abdomen that imitates acute appendicitis and cannot be differentiated with physical examination and laboratory methods. Delays in diagnosis and unnecessary appendectomy will be prevented in this way.

Histological characterization of appendectomy specimens with intraoperative appearance of vascular injection

BACKGROUND

Acute appendicitis frequently needs acute surgical intervention. Laparoscopic appendectomy (LA) and conventional open appendectomy (OA) are well established procedures, but appendectomy for intraoperative inconspicuous or vascular injected appendixes remains under debate because of potential postoperative morbidity. The aim of this study was to correlate intraoperative nonacute appendixes with histological and clinical outcome.

METHODS

Between 2005 and 2009, a total of 1,017 patients underwent OA or LA. A total of 1,005 patients were enrolled with inclusion criteria of suspicious acute appendicitis preoperatively. One hundred twenty-nine of 1,005 patients had intraoperative normal, vascular injected or chronic appendixes that were defined as nonacute appendicitis. Intraoperative findings were correlated with histological results and clinical outcome of patients.

RESULTS

Of 129 (12.8 %) of 1,005 patients with macroscopically nonacute appendicitis intraoperatively, 16.3 % had normal findings, 81.4 % vascular injection, and 2.3 % chronic alterations; and 94.6 % of nonacute appendixes had histopathological alterations: 38.9 % chronic, 14.0 % neurogenic, 26.4 % acute, 13.2 % phlegmonous, and 2.3 % malignant. Coproliths were found in 21.7 % of patients, most in vascular injected appendixes. Four of seven patients with histopathological normal appendixes had coproliths. Morbidity rate was 2.3 %, with no mortality.

CONCLUSIONS

Appendiceal resection for intraoperative nonacute appendixes should be recommended because of high incidence of histopathological findings with low morbidity. In particular, chronic and neurogenous alterations cannot be predicted clinically or verified by radiological examination, but may cause recurrent symptoms.

An unusual cause of acute appendicitis: Appendiceal endometriosis

INTRODUCTION

While endometriosis is a common disorder in women of reproductive age, appendiceal endometriosis accounts for less than 1% of all pelvic endometriotic lesions. Appendiceal involvement may present as acute appendicitis and definitive diagnosis is made by only postoperative histological examination.

PRESENTATION OF CASE

In this study, we present two cases of female patients who underwent an appendectomy presumed diagnosis as acute appendicitis, and a histopathological examination of the retrieved specimen revealed appendiceal endometriosis.

DISCUSSION

Endometriosis is defined as the presence of ectopic endometrial tissue outside the lining of the uterine cavity. Gastrointestinal endometriosis is observed in 3-37% of all endometriosis cases, whereas appendiceal endometriosis accounts for only about 3% of gastrointestinal endometriosis. Appendiceal endometriosis is usually asymptomatic, although it sometimes causes abdominal cramps, nausea, chronic pelvic pain, lower gastrointestinal hemorrhage, intussusception, perforation, or acute appendicitis.

CONCLUSION

Appendiceal endometriosis is an unusual histopathological finding. A preoperative diagnosis is difficult, but this condition should be considered when women of childbearing age present with clinical symptoms of acute appendicitis.

'Wormy'form appendix

Appendicitis and helminth infections are both common conditions in children. However, helminths (pinworms) infestation causing appendiceal luminal obstruction and presenting as appendicitis is uncommon.

Appendiceal mucocele in an elderly patient: how much surgery?

Appendiceal mucoceles are rare cystic lesions with an incidence of 0.3–0.7% of all appendectomies. They are divided into four subgroups according to their histology. Even though the symptoms may vary – depending on the level of complication – from right lower quadrant pain, signs of intussusception, gastrointestinal bleeding to an acute abdomen with sepsis, most mucoceles are asymptomatic and found incidentally. We present the case of a 70-year-old patient with an incidentally found appendiceal mucocele. He was seen at the hospital for backache. The CT scan showed a vertebral fracture and a 7-cm appendiceal mass. A preoperative colonoscopy displayed several synchronous adenomas in the transverse and left colon with high-grade dysplasia. In order to lower the cancer risk of this patient, we performed a subtotal colectomy. The appendiceal mass showed no histopathological evidence of malignancy and no sign of perforation. The follow-up was therefore limited to 2 months. In this case, appendectomy would have been sufficient to treat the mucocele alone. The synchronous high-grade dysplastic adenomas were detected in the preoperative colonoscopy and determined the therapeutic approach. Generally, in the presence of positive lymph nodes, a right colectomy is the treatment of choice. In the histological presence of mucinous peritoneal carcinomatosis, cytoreductive surgery with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy is indicated. In conclusion, mucoceles of the appendix are detected with high sensitivity by CT scan. If there is no evidence of synchronous tumor preoperatively and no peritoneal spillage, invasion or positive sentinel lymph nodes during surgery, a mucocele is adequately treated by appendectomy.