Management of carcinoma discovered unexpectedly at operation for acute appendicitis

Incidence and predictors of appendiceal tumors in elderly males presenting with signs and symptoms of acute appendicitis

BACKGROUND

Patients with appendiceal tumors (AT) frequently present with the same signs and symptoms as acute appendicitis (AA). The purpose of this study was to identify the incidence of AT in a population of patients greater than 60 years of age thought to have AA, and to identify presenting factors that can help differentiate the 2 disease processes.

METHODS

An institutional review board-approved, retrospective review was performed identifying all patients greater than 60 years old who underwent either appendectomy or colectomy after presenting with signs and symptoms of AA from Janaury 1997 to April 2004. Patient records were examined for demographic variables, presenting signs and symptoms, and pathology.

RESULTS

A total of 34 patients fit the entry criteria; 8 (24%) had AT. Average duration of symptoms was significantly longer (4.9 +/- 1.9 versus 2.3 +/- 0.3 days; P = 0.01) and hematocrit lower (36.5 +/- 2.3 versus 42.4 +/- 1.0%; P = 0.01) for patients with AT compared with patients with AP. No other significant differences in presenting signs and symptoms were noted.

CONCLUSIONS

There is an increased incidence of appendiceal neoplasms among elderly patients presenting with signs and symptoms of AA. Distinction between AT and appendicitis is difficult preoperatively, but AT should be suspected when patients present with longer duration of symptoms or reduced hematocrit.

Primary neoplasms of the appendix manifesting as acute appendicitis: CT findings with pathologic comparison

PURPOSE

To evaluate the computed tomographic (CT) findings in patients with acute appendicitis related to an underlying appendiceal neoplasm.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Clinical and pathologic data obtained over a 10-year period in 65 patients with primary appendiceal neoplasms were reviewed. Preoperative CT studies in patients who presented clinically with symptoms of acute appendicitis were analyzed retrospectively and in consensus by three radiologists. The appendix was evaluated on CT scans for morphology, location, presence of calcification, maximal diameter, and wall thickness.

RESULTS

Twenty-six (40%) of the 65 patients with appendiceal neoplasms had presented with symptoms of acute appendicitis. Preoperative CT studies available in 22 patients showed increased appendiceal diameter, wall thickening, and periappendiceal fat stranding in 22 (100%), 22 (100%), and 21 (95%) patients, respectively. The appendiceal diameter was greater than 15 mm (mean diameter, 2.9 cm) in 19 patients (86%). Morphologic changes of concern for neoplasm were present in 19 patients (86%) and included cystic dilatation in nine patients and presence of a soft-tissue mass without dilatation in 10 patients. An appendiceal diameter greater than 15 mm and/or a morphologic abnormality were present in 21 of 22 cases (95%).

CONCLUSION

CT findings strongly suggest the presence of underlying neoplasm in the majority of patients with secondary appendicitis.

Imaging findings in patients with-right lower quadrant pain: alternative diagnoses to appendicitis

Patients with right lower quadrant (RLQ) pain referred for imaging studies with a clinical diagnosis of appendicitis may have other pathologic conditions mimicking appendicitis. Appropriate diagnostic imaging may establish other specific diagnoses and thereby play a significant role in determining proper medical or surgical treatment. In this pictorial essay, we present a spectrum of imaging findings in patients whose clinical features were suggestive of appendicitis, but the diagnoses of a broad spectrum of other diseases were established with the imaging studies. The differential diagnoses of diseases mimicking appendicitis are reviewed.

Graded compression sonography of abdominal neoplasms mimicking acute appendicitis

Over a 3-year period nine patients (mean age of 43 years) with acute abdominal pain and unsuspected abdominal neoplasms were referred for graded compression sonography to rule out appendicitis. Six of the nine patients had right lower quadrant neoplasms involving the cecum, terminal ileum, iliacus muscle, or iliac lymph nodes. However, in three patients neoplasm was noted outside the right iliac fossa involving the liver, right kidney, and upper abdominal mesentery. This study underscores the fact that in patients without sonographic evidence of acute appendicitis, a survey of the upper abdomen and right flank should routinely be performed in addition to scanning the right iliac fossa and pelvis. In patients more than 50 years of age neoplasm must also be kept in mind in the differential diagnosis of appendicitis.