Appendiceal mucocele of mucinous cystadenocarcinoma with a cutaneous fistula

Enterocutaneous fistula resulting from the drainage of a contained appendiceal perforation secondary to a partially obstructing low-grade appendiceal mucinous neoplasm

We report a case of an enterocutaneous fistula resulting from drainage of a contained appendiceal perforation secondary to an obstructing appendiceal mucinous neoplasm. A 66-year-old otherwise healthy female patient proceeded to laparoscopic appendicectomy with resection of the fistula tract. Histopathology demonstrated a mid-appendiceal mucinous neoplasm, with a benign enterocutaneous fistula tract communicating with the distal, non-malignant portion of the appendix. We provide an overview of the literature and highlight the need to consider appendiceal mucinous neoplasm as a differential in the management of spontaneous right iliac fossa collections and fistulae.

Pseudomyxoma retroperitonei masquerading as a psoas abscess

A 52-year-old woman was referred to our department with multiple discharging sinuses and swelling in the right flank and iliac region for the past year. Ultrasound revealed a large collection in the right psoas muscle with the sinus tract reaching up to the skin in the right iliac region. Despite repeated attempts at drainage, the collection continued to increase in size. CT was requested and revealed a large heterogeneous irregular collection in the right psoas with fistulous communication with the cecum and skin with the erosion of the overlying ilium. Because of lack of vertebral involvement, enhancing internal septations, non-visualisation of the appendix and feculent material admixed with mucinous discharge from the sinus, pseudomyxoma retroperitonei secondary to ruptured mucinous neoplasm of the appendix was suspected. Mucoid material at the local site was sent for histopathology, which confirmed our suspicion. Our treatment plan after ileostomy was cytoreductive surgery along with adjuvant radiotherapy (40 Gy in 20 fractions) with chemotherapy (5-fluorouracil and folinic acid given for 30 weeks, once a week). However, after ileostomy, the patient refused further treatment, citing financial reasons.

Fistulae involving the appendix: a systematic review of the literature

BACKGROUND

The appendix has a unique place in surgical history. Although the first ever appendicectomy involved a fistula to the skin, fistulae involving the appendix remain uncommon and can lead to unique surgical considerations.

METHODS

A systematic review of the literature was performed for case reports of appendiceal fistulae. We excluded cases in which the patient had a history of appendicectomy. Cases were categorized by site and aetiology, with information regarding relative frequency and demographics obtained.

RESULTS

A total of 301 case reports of fistula involving the appendix were found. The most common sites of these fistulae were to the bladder (148 cases), skin (40 cases), vasculature (19 cases), umbilicus (16 cases) and to the gastrointestinal tract. The most common aetiology in sub-analysis was appendicitis alone (150 cases), with less common causes including appendiceal adenocarcinoma (32 cases) and congenital abnormalities (18 cases). There were significantly more appendiceal fistulae in males than in females, with a ratio of 1.7:1. In patients with appendiceal adenocarcinoma as a cause for fistula, there were significantly more females than males with a ratio of 2.3:1.

CONCLUSION

In conducting a systematic review of case reports of fistulae involving the appendix, we identified 301 unique case reports, with a range of different sites and aetiologies.

Appendico-cutaneous fistula following hysterectomy: first case report

Appendico-cutaneous fistulas not related to acute appendicitis or cancer are rare and show spontaneous resolution after conservative treatment, mainly when they show low output, absence of obstruction or sepsis and in patients with good nutritional status. We found no report in the literature on appendico-cutaneous fistula after hysterectomy. The evolution of this case shows that this type of fistula can have low, but persistent debt, requiring definitive surgery.

Fistula Formation Secondary to Mucinous Appendiceal Adenocarcinoma May Be Related to a Favorable Prognosis: A Case Report and Literature Review

A 90-year-old man was referred to our hospital because of a positive fecal occult blood test. Colonoscopy revealed a lesion with multiple nodules covered with abundant mucus at the hepatic flexure. Computed tomography showed a dilated appendix attached distally to the hepatic flexure. Right hemicolectomy was performed, and the pathological examination revealed a mucinous appendiceal adenocarcinoma infiltrating the hepatic flexure without pseudomyxoma peritonei. The patient is doing well without recurrence 12 months postoperatively. Extraperitoneal drainage of the malignant ascites caused by the fistula may allow for an early diagnosis, while also making it possible to successfully resect the lesion, thus resulting in a favorable outcome.

A case of low-grade appendiceal mucinous neoplasm with invagination resected laparoscopically

Low-grade appendiceal mucinous neoplasm (LAMN) is rare disease, and the absence of characteristic clinical symptoms makes preoperative diagnosis difficult. The strategy of treatment for LAMN has not been established. Surgical approach and lymph node (LN) dissection are still controversial. We herein present a case of LAMN with difficulties in making the preoperative diagnosis, which exhibited invagination and was treated by laparoscopy-assisted ileocecal resection with LN dissection. When cystic mass is detected in the bowel, LAMN or mucinous adenocarcinoma should be considered as a different diagnosis. And the laparoscopy-assisted ileocecal resection is a feasible operation for LAMN with careful procedure.

Diarrhea Concealing a Duodenal-Cecal Fistula Secondary to Appendiceal Mucinous Neoplasm

Primary mucinous adenocarcinoma of the appendix is a rare gastrointestinal malignancy. Fistulous tract formation is a complication that is cited in literature. An 85-year-old man with multiple comorbidities presented with several weeks of persistent non-bloody diarrhea. Laboratory work-up was non-diagnostic. Abdominal imaging with barium contrast showed an enterocolonic fistulous tract extending from the duodenum to the cecum involving an enlarged appendiceal mass. Subsequent biopsy confirmed mucinous appendiceal neoplasm with peritoneal spread to the liver and mesentery. This is the first report describing an enterocolonic fistula formation resulting from this malignancy.

Atypical presentation of appendicitis

A woman aged 64 years presented as an emergency with a mass in the right iliac fossa, clinically within the abdominal wall, but an otherwise soft abdomen. Systemically, she was quite well with normal vital signs. Blood tests revealed raised inflammatory markers, and an abdominal CT scan demonstrated a perforated appendix with associated large subcutaneous abscess. This represents a rare presentation of a common condition, demonstrating how appendicitis can still be a challenging problem for the clinician. The patient underwent incision and drainage of the abscess, resulting in the formation of an enterocutaneous fistula (ECF). This was managed with enteral nutritional support, wound dressings and antibiotics. Following normal CT imaging, an ileocaecal resection was planned in the expectation that the ECF would persist. The operation was postponed due to intercurrent illness, during which time her symptoms and the ECF fully resolved.

Rare Presentation of Pseudomyxoma Retroperitonei: Stretching the Limits

A 55-year-old woman presented with a mucopurulent sinusal discharge from the right supragluteal region, with symptoms over the previous five months. This abscess began as a slowly swelling growth, which eventually turned into a discharging sinus, and she was diagnosed with a gluteal abscess. The patient underwent incisional drainage, and intra-operatively, the sinus tract could be seen extending to the retroperitoneum. A subsequent CT scan and an MRI of the abdomen revealed a large heterogeneous retroperitoneal cystic mass on the right side of midline, extending inferiorly into the anterior thigh along the iliopsoas. Superiorly, a tubular projection extended from the lesion, indenting the ileocaecal junction, while a fluid filled cutaneous fistulous tract was seen, extending to the right flank. A diagnosis of pseudomyxoma retroperitonei, likely of retrocaecal appendicular origin, was proposed. An explorative laparotomy with an appendectomy, and the evacuation of the retroperitoneal collection were completed. The subsequent histopathology confirmed the diagnosis of appendicular mucinous cystadenoma, with pseudomyxoma retroperitonei.

Giant appendix or an appendiceal mucocele? Case report of an 11-year-old child

We present an 11-year-old male child with an enormous appendix that was regarded as an appendiceal mucocele. The disorder is very rare and usually appears in middle aged patients. It is a clinical diagnosis. It could cause a variety of symptoms, especially, acute appendicitis and unidentified lesion in the right iliac fossa. According to the reasons, it could be just a curiosity without any relevancy or the sign of a malignant lesion with bad prognostic factors. The histopathological findings prove the origin.

Appendix viriliformis: an intra-abdominal testis and an appendicoileal fistula

When a patient is taken to theatre for a laparotomy, surprises can still be found despite modern investigative techniques. We present the case of two rare abdominal pathologies (an appendicoileal fistula and an intra-abdominal testis adherent to the vermiform appendix) being found simultaneously and review the literature on these topics.

Appendiceal mucinous adenocarcinoma presenting as an enterocutaneous fistula in an incisional hernia

A 68-year-old woman with a history of bone-graft harvesting from the right iliac crest presented with an incisional hernia and abscess at the graft donor site. Following incision and drainage of the abscess, CT demonstrated an enterocutaneous fistula between the appendix and bone-graft incision with appendicitis assumed to be the original cause of the abscess. At laparoscopy, the appendix was adherent to the hernia sac with mucinous material at the superficial orifice of the fistula site but not in the peritoneal cavity. Laparoscopic appendicectomy with fistula track excision was performed. Histological evaluation confirmed a well-to-moderately differentiated mucinous adenocarcinoma arising on a background of dysplastic villous adenoma. Tumour extended along the fistula track to involve the surface skin. A laparoscopic right hemicolectomy, lymph node dissection and wide local excision of the fistula track were carried out at a second procedure. Final histology confirmed pT4N1 tumour with clear resection margins.

[Appendicular cystadenocarcinoma with cutaneous fistula]

BACKGROUND

Cutaneous metastasis of colorectal cancer is rare. We report a case of fistular lesions of the buttocks revealing a mixed tumour of the appendix involving mucinous cystadenocarcinoma and carcinoid tumour.

CASE REPORT

A 67-year-old woman was admitted for four skin fistulae of the right buttock present for 6 years. Histological examination of skin biopsy specimens identified infiltration of the dermis by metastatic mucinous adenocarcinoma while colonoscopy showed a caecal tumour measuring 4 cm. Surgical excision was performed involving right hemicolectomy, evacuation of retroperitoneal mucin collection and excision of fistulae. Histopathological examination of surgical specimen confirmed mixed tumour consisting of perforated mucinous cystadenocarcinoma and carcinoid tumour of the appendix. Recurrence of the fistular lesions was seen. The patient was hospitalized several times for surgical drainage of mucin. She died one year later.

DISCUSSION

Cutaneous metastasis of colorectal cancer is an uncommon event that usually occurs after identification of the primary tumour and generally indicates advanced-stage disease and an ominous prognosis. This case is particular and underlines the need to rule out a metastatic origin of cutaneous fistulae, even in patients otherwise apparently in good health.

Appendiceal mucocele: Case reports and review of current literature

The mucocele of the appendix is an uncommon disorder which is often asymptomatic but sometimes causes acute appendicitis-like symptoms. Sometimes, patients with mucocele can present with confusing symptoms. Preoperative suspicion and diagnosis of appendiceal mucocele are important. Ultrasonography and computed tomography are useful tools for the diagnosis of appendiceal mucocele. It may be also recognised by colonoscopy as a smooth submucosal lesion of the cecum. Optimal management of the mucocele could be achieved through accurate preoperative diagnosis. Preoperative diagnosis is a major component for minimizing intra-operative and post-operative complications. We herein report five cases and discuss the diagnostic methods and surgical treatment.

Mucocele of the appendix: An unusual cause of lower abdominal pain in a patient with ulcerative colitis-. A case report and review of literature

The authors report the case of a 60-year-old male patient. In November 2001 he developed intestinal symptoms of bloody diarrhea and abdominal pain. Colonoscopy and biopsy established the diagnosis of ulcerative colitis (proctosigmoiditis). The disease activity was moderate at the beginning. No significant laboratory alterations were found (including CEA, CA19-9), and mesalazine was started orally. He was in remission until November 2003, when he was admitted to our Outpatient Clinic for upper and right lower abdominal pain and bloody diarrhea. Colonoscopy found proctosigmoiditis with a moderate activity, gastroscopy revealed chronic gastritis, laboratory data was normal. Treatment was amended with mesalazine clysma and methylprednisolone (16 mg) orally. Symptoms ameliorated; however, right lower abdominal pain persisted. US and CT examination demonstrated a pericecal cystic mass (11 cm×3.5 cm). At first pericecal abscess was suspected, as the previous US examination (6 mo earlier) had revealed normal findings. Fine needle aspiration was performed. Cytology confirmed the diagnosis of mucocele. The patient underwent partial cecum resection and extirpation of the mucocele. He recovered well and the final histology revealed a cystadenoma of the appendix. Follow up was started. The patient is now free of symptoms. Although primary adenocarcinoma of the appendix is uncommon, the authors emphasize that preoperative diagnosis of an underlying malignancy in a mucocele is important for patient management; however, it is difficult on imaging studies.