Mucocele of the appendix - a diagnostic dilemma: a case report

Mucocele of the Appendix: A Case Report and Review of Literature

An appendiceal mucocele is a rare disease characterized by the dilation of the appendix lumen with mucus accumulation. Although this disease is often found incidentally during appendectomy, it is crucial to differentiate it from acute appendicitis preoperatively to select adequate surgical management. We present a case of a 31-year-old male, medically free, with right-sided abdominal pain associated with nausea and vomiting. He was diagnosed with appendiceal mucocele and underwent laparoscopic appendectomy. The absence of a distinct clinical presentation and biochemical parameters necessitates a comprehensive and collaborative diagnostic approach for mucocele of the appendix. Achieving an accurate diagnosis prior to surgery is imperative to ensure the appropriate surgical technique is chosen, thereby minimizing the risk of serious intraoperative and postoperative complications such as pseudomyxoma peritonei.

Superinfection of an Obstructive Appendiceal Mucocele: A Case Report

Appendiceal mucocele is an uncommon entity that may arise due to benign or malignant processes. The radiologic exploration of this entity is necessary for diagnosis, and its imaging manifestations vary, with some findings being more common than others. More specifically, the radiological findings of a superinfected mucocele are rare, with few reports in the literature. Herein we present the case of a 68-year-old male patient with a superinfected appendiceal obstructive mucocele caused by a fecalith, which was diagnosed by abdominal CT evaluation.

Low-grade mucinous appendiceal neoplasm mimicking an ovarian lesion: A case report and review of literature

BACKGROUND

Appendiceal tumors are rare lesions that may not be easily differentiated from primary ovarian lesions preoperatively, despite the use of advanced diagnostic methods by experienced clinicians.

CASE SUMMARY

A 59-year-old G2P2 woman, with chronic pelvic pain, underwent a pelvic ultrasound that revealed an adnexal mass measuring 58 mm × 34 mm × 36 mm, with irregular borders, heterogeneous echogenicity, no color Doppler vascularization and without acoustic shadowing. Normal ovarian tissue was visualized in contact with the lesion, and it was impossible to separate the lesion from the ovary by applying pressure with the ultrasound probe. Ascites, peritoneal metastases or other alterations were not observed. With the international ovarian tumor analysis ADNEX model, the lesion was classified as a malignant tumor (the risk of malignancy was 27.1%, corresponding to Ovarian-Adnexal Reporting Data System category 4). Magnetic resonance imaging confirmed the presence of a right adnexal mass, apparently an ovarian tumor measuring 65 mm × 35 mm, without signs of invasive or metastatic disease. During explorative laparotomy, normal morphology of the internal reproductive organs was noted. A solid mobile lesion involved the entire appendix. Appendectomy was performed. Inspection of the abdominal cavity revealed no signs of malignant dissemination. Histopathologically, the appendiceal lesion corresponded to a completely resected low-grade mucinous appendiceal neoplasm (LAMN).

CONCLUSION

The appropriate treatment and team of specialists who should provide health care to patients with seemingly adnexal lesions depend on the nature (benign vs malignant) and origin (gynecological vs nongynecological) of the lesion. Radiologists, gynecologists and other pelvic surgeons should be familiar with the imaging signs of LAMN whose clinical presentation is silent or nonspecific. The assistance of a consultant specializing in intestinal tumors is important support that gynecological surgeons can receive during the operation to offer the patient with intestinal pathology an optimal intervention.

Incidental appendiceal mucinous neoplasm mimicking a left adnexal mass: A case report

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Equivocal signs and symptoms along with anatomical position of appendiceal mucinous neoplasm (AMN) makes it difficult to diagnose.

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Pre-operative, findings like ‘onion skin’ sign on ultrasonography and ‘volcano sign’ on colonoscopy are specific for appendiceal mucocele.

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Primary AMN is rarely diagnosed before operation and histopathological examination.

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AMN can mimic ovarian tumors. Consider AMN in the differential diagnosis for any pelvic mass in elderly female patients.

Introduction

Appendiceal mucinous neoplasm is a rare type of appendiceal tumors which can present in a variety of symptoms and is difficult to diagnose. Preoperative diagnosis depends mainly on diagnostic imaging such as ultrasonography and computerized tomography (CT) scan. This uncommon case report discusses an appendiceal mucinous neoplasm mimicking a left adnexal mass on presentation, physical examination and diagnostic imaging findings.

Presentation of case

This is a 61-year-old female found to have a large left adnexal mass during follow up ultrasonography. The patient refused further imaging, and during laparotomy, she was found to have an appendicular mucocele with normal left and right ovaries.

Discussion

Appendectomy was done and the final pathology came as appendiceal mucinous neoplasm. Her post-operative course and 3 years follow up were uneventful.

Conclusions

The equivocal signs and symptoms along with the anatomical position of appendiceal mucocele makes it difficult to diagnose and can mimic other types of tumors. Therefore, it should be considered in the deferential diagnosis of lower abdominal and pelvic masses.

Mucocele of the Apendix – A Case Report and Review of the References

Mucocele of the apendix is a rare clinical and pathological entity with a higher incidence in the female population, and non-specific symptomatology that includes more diagnoses including neoplastic and non-neoplastic causes of the apendix dilation and mucin proliferation. With obtained numerous variations in symptomatology, clinical picture, intraoperative presentation, surgical treatment and histopathological findings, the aim of this paper is an inspection into current knowledge of this disease, its histo-pathological characteristics, differential diagnosis and current treatment modalities. We present a patient with a clinical picture of the acute abdomen and numerous comorbidities. Ultrasound diagnostics indicated the presence of thin-walled dilatation of the small intestine, especially in the lower right quadrant, as well as the presence of free fluid in the peritoneal cavity. Apendectomy and removal of the mucocele and resection of the gangrenous sigmoid colon according to Hartmann were done. A definitive histo-pathological finding suggests ischemic colitis and retention mucocele of the apendix with normal mucosa. Histopathologically, four types of mucocele apendixes are distinguished, namely the retention mucinous cyst, mucosal hyperplasia, mucinous cystadenoma and mucinous cystadenocarcinoma. Surgical treatment is the method of choice in treating these tumors, either open or laparoscopic. Imperative is the preservation of the integrity of the entire mucocele, due to the possible dissemination of contents of the cyst and the subsequent development of pseudomyxoma peritonei.

Mucocele of the appendix presenting as an exacerbated chronic tubo-ovarian abscess: A case report and comprehensive review of the literature

RATIONALE

Appendiceal mucocele is a rare entity of mucinous cystic dilatation of the appendix. It has no typical clinical presentation and is considered a potentially premalignant condition.

PATIENT CONCERNS

We present a case of accidental intraoperative finding of an appendiceal mucocele in a 54-year old woman that clinically presented with an exacerbated chronic tubo-ovarian abscess.

DIAGNOSES

Trans-vaginal ultrasonography showed an encapsulated, oval, unilocular mass above the uterus with a heteroechogenic structure, homogeneous fluid content, and smooth regular walls without inner proliferation. The histopathologic diagnosis was consistent with an appendiceal cystadenoma.

INTERVENTIONS

The patient underwent a simple appendectomy.

OUTCOMES

There were no clinical, biochemical or imaging signs of the disease recurrence at 6 months follow up.

LESSONS

To our knowledge, this is the only well-documented case of appendiceal mucocele mimicking exacerbated chronic tubo-ovarian abscess reported in the literature. Awareness of a rare entity such as an appendiceal mucocele, which is frequently misdiagnosed as a potential cause of acute abdomen, is necessary for the appropriate management strategy in order to prevent complications.

Submucosal mucoid as a late complication after appendectomy-A case report

INTRODUCTION

Shortly after an operation infection, intraabdominal abscess, seroma, haemorrhage or development of paralytic ileus may occur. Postoperative adhesions, nonspecific abdominal pain without signs of obstruction, incisional hernia and appendicitis or mucocele in appendiceal stump present common late complications. We present a unique case of a late complication after appendectomy.

PRESENTATION OF CASE

The case report describes a unique expansion in the ascending colon of a young athlete with long-lasting abdominal pain in the lower right quadrant. Colonoscopy showed a lesion in a wall of the ascending colon. Computed tomography (CT) confirmed a cystoid formation of high content density in a wall of the caecum. A right hemicolectomy was performed. Histology showed a lesion located in the submucosa with intestinal lining and stroma rich in lymphoid cells. These are the typical attributes of the wall of the appendix. Other parts of the wall were not demonstrated, and there was no communication with the lumen of the native bowel.

CONCLUSION

A submucosal cavity filled with acellular matter, which were probably disintegrated epithelioid structures, and calcifications were found in the ascending colon, while no intestinal cell atypia or dysplasia was found. The case cannot be classified under any previously presented diagnosis.

Magnetic resonance imaging evaluation of non ovarian adnexal lesions

Differentiation of nonovarian from ovarian lesions is a diagnostic challenge. MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) of the pelvis provides excellent tissue characterization and high contrast resolution, allowing for detailed evaluation of adnexal lesions. Salient MRI characteristics of predominantly cystic lesions and predominantly solid adnexal lesions are presented along with epidemiology and clinical presentation. Due to its excellent soft tissue resolution, MRI may be able to characterize indeterminate adnexal masses and aid the radiologist to arrive at the correct diagnosis, thus positively affect patient management.

Mucocoele and mucinous tumours of the appendix: A review of the literature

INTRODUCTION

Mucocoele of the appendix is rarely encountered but consultant general surgical and trainees must be aware of it as a differential diagnosis, due to the nuances associated with its management. We aimed to provide a comprehensive review of the current literature concerning this rare surgical pathology.

METHODS

Search terms "appendi*", "tumour", "malignancy", "mucino*" and "cystadenoma" were used in combination to identify papers from PubMed. Abstracts and full text were manually reviewed to identify suitable papers.

RESULTS

Full search results included 311 articles. Review of titles and abstracts led to further full text review of 46 articles. Of these 30 were selected for inclusion based on relevance, adequate sample size and recent publication date.

DISCUSSION

Mucocoele of the appendix describes dilatation with associated luminal mucin and can result from benign and malignant processes. It contributes 0.2-0.7% of all appendiceal pathologies. The most common presenting symptoms are abdominal pain and a palpable mass in the right iliac fossa. Computed tomography of the abdomen and pelvis is key in facilitating diagnosis, although CEA and CA19-9 also have a role. The major complication of malignant causes of mucocoele is progression to pseudomyxoma peritonei. Treatment is surgical with or without chemotherapy depending on the underlying cause. Prognosis depends on aetiology.

CONCLUSION

Mucocoele of the appendix is a rare diagnosis. However, given the possibility of neoplastic peritoneal dissemination, it should be considered as a diagnosis, especially in older females with non-specific symptoms similar to appendicitis.

Mucus containing cystic lesions "mucocele" of the appendix: the unresolved issues

Background. Mucocele of the appendix is a rare condition, the pathological classification and management strategy of which have not been standardized yet. Aim. To report on our management of appendiceal mucocele, highlighting the pitfalls and possible means for avoiding them. Materials and Methods. Our registries were reviewed to retrieve cases of appendiceal mucocele, encountered in the period from July 2008 to May 2013. Results. We had 9 cases, three males and sex females, with a median age of 62 years. Abdominal ultrasound (US) and computerized axial tomography scan (CT) suspected the diagnosis in only one case each. Open appendectomy was done in two cases of mucinous cystadenoma with no further surgery performed, despite the positive margin in one. Laparoscopic appendectomy was done in three cases: mucinous cystadenoma in one case which needed no further surgery, mucinous cystadenocarcinoma with pseudomyxoma peritonei in another, and low grade mucinous tumour in a third case, and all needed subsequent right hemicolectomy. Exploratory laparotomy was done in three cases: of these, synchronous right hemicolectomy was done in one case of mucinous cystadenoma/?mucinous tumour of uncertain malignant potential; in the other two cases, appendectomy only was done for mucinous hyperplasia with carcinoid tumour of the appendix in one case and mucinous cystadenoma/?mucinous tumour of uncertain malignant potential in another. The 9th case was discovered upon laparoscopy for cholecystectomy; when pseudomyxoma peritonei arising from an appendiceal mucocele was found, laparoscopic appendectomy with peritoneal biopsy was then performed instead. Histopathologic diagnostic uncertainty was present in two cases of mucinous cystadenoma where mucinous tumour of uncertain malignant potential was an alternative possibility. Perioperative colonoscopy was performed in only one case and our follow-up programme was defective, with the longest period being 180 days. Conclusion. Mucocele of the appendix should be considered in the differential diagnosis of cystic lesions in the right lower abdomen. Owing to its rarity, it continues to intrigue the surgeon as well as the radiologist and pathologist alike. For mucinous cystadenocarcinoma, right hemicolectomy is usually needed, whereas for hyperplasia and cystadenoma, appendectomy usually suffices if the resection margins are free. For mucinous tumours of uncertain malignant potential and low grade mucinous tumours as well as pseudomyxoma peritonei, the decision is not as simple. As for laparoscopic surgery, no solid proof exists with or against its safety. Although not yet standardized, perioperative colonoscopy and regular follow-up to detect early recurrences should probably be part of the management plan.

Mucinous cystadenoma of the appendix with enterocutaneous fistula: a therapeutic dilemma

Mucinous cystadenoma of appendix is a rare clinical entity with very few reported cases in the literature. Consensus on optimal surgical management has not been reached. We report the case of a 65-year-old female patient who presented with fistula over the right iliac fossa. Computed tomography (CT) of the abdomen suggested abscess of the parietal wall. Upon exploration, a mass was found to be arising from the tip of the retroperitoneal appendix and the retroperitoneum was studded with mucoid material. Appendectomy was carried out and final histopathology revealed mucinous cystadenoma with no evidence of malignancy. The patient was discharged uneventfully. The unusual presentation of this disease, as retroperitoneal psuedomyxoma without any intraperitoneal pathology, prompted us to report this case.

Rare cadaveric finding of a grossly enlarged mucocele appendix

Appendicular mucoceles are rare clinical findings characterized by dilation and distention of the appendicular lumen by the accumulation of mucus. Their discovery is often incidental from abdominal imaging or more commonly as a secondary surgical finding. In this case study we report the first known recorded case of a cadaveric mucocele appendix discovered during routine dissection of the gastrointestinal system. The recorded cause of death for the 86-year-old female patient was congestive heart failure. We compared the gross anatomy and histology of this enormous appendix with another cadaveric appendix. A pathology report identified the appendicular mucocele as a mucinous cystadenoma.

Case of an appendiceal mucinous adenocarcinoma presenting as a left adnexal mass

INTRODUCTION

Appendiceal mucinous neoplasms represent an exceptionally rare form of pathology with an incidence rate ranging between 0.2 and 0.3% of all appendectomies.(1,2) The most common presentation is right lower quadrant pain with a palpable abdominal mass present in 50% of cases.(8-12) Patients may also present with nausea, vomiting, change in bowel habits, weight loss, appendicitis, intestinal obstruction, ureteral compression, or lower gastrointestinal bleeding. Early diagnosis and proper surgical precautions must be implemented to prevent iatrogenic rupture of the appendix and the widespread seeding of potentially malignant mucin-producing cells throughout the peritoneal cavity.

PRESENTATION OF CASE

A 50-year-old African-American female presented with complaints of left-sided pelvic pain. Pelvic examination revealed adnexal fullness with thickening behind the cervix. An adnexal mass was revealed on ultrasound and MRI. The patient was subsequently taken to the operating room for a planned robotic salpingectomy. During the procedure, she was unexpectedly found to have an abnormally large appendix displaced to the left lower quadrant. General surgery was consulted intra-operatively to perform an appendectomy. The final pathology report revealed a low-grade mucinous adenocarcinoma with mucin dissecting into the wall of the appendix.

DISCUSSION

Appendiceal mucinous cystadenomas are characterized by hyperplasia of glandular epithelium along with hypersecretion of mucous resulting in a grossly dilated appendix. The clinical manifestation of appendiceal mucoceles is often non-specific. The prevalence is higher in women than men (4:1) with the average age at the time of diagnosis being 54 years-old.(14-17) Appendiceal mucinous cystadenomas can be particularly problematic for women as these tumors are commonly misdiagnosed pre-operatively as right-sided adnexal masses due to commonalities in clinical presentation and diagnostic findings.(8-12) It is estimated that based on imaging studies only 15-29% of appendiceal mucinous cystadenomas are correctly diagnosed prior to surgical intervention.(13) CONCLUSION: To the best of our knowledge, only one other case of appendiceal adenocarcinoma with left-sided presentation has been reported. Appendiceal carcinomas can create a diagnostic dilemma due to non-specific clinical findings and inadequate imaging studies. Early recognition and careful intra-operative precautions must be taken to maintain the integrity of the appendix to prevent iatrogenic rupture and the spread of potentially malignant mucin-producing cells throughout the peritoneal cavity.

Low-grade appendiceal neoplasm presenting as a volvulus of the cecum

Mucocele of the appendix is an uncommon disorder that is often asymptomatic, but can present similarly to acute appendicitis. Timely diagnosis and treatment is imperative due to the many complications that can result from the mucocele, such as perforation. Appendiceal mucoceles (AM) were previously thought to be either benign or malignant; however, a different pathological classification of AM is currently favored. Also, only a few cases of volvulus of a benign AM have been reported. Here, we present the first reported case of a low-grade appendiceal mucinous neoplasm resulting in a volvulus of the cecum.

Peculiar case of mucocele of appendiceal tip

Mucocele of Appendix is a gross or clinical descriptive term for dilatation of the appendiceal lumen by mucus.It is a rare pathology with an overall incidence of 0.2 to 0.3% of all appendectomies. Majority of these cases present with mucocele involved whole length of the appendix. On extensive literature search,exact incidence of mucocele confined only to the tip of appendix is not known, though there are very few case reports. Here we report a peculiar case of large mucocele of appendix confined only to the tip, sparing significant length of proximal appendix and causing diagnostic dilemma pre-operatively in a 43 -years -old lady.

Molecular analysis of appendiceal mucinous cystadenoma and rectal adenocarcinoma in a patient with urothelial carcinoma: a case report

Introduction

In this report, we present the case of a patient affected by appendiceal cystadenoma, a colorectal adenocarcinoma, and a concomitant bladder carcinoma, as well as the results of the molecular study of the most relevant mutational pathways involved in these tumors.

Case presentation

A 68-year-old Italian man was admitted to our unit complaining of macrohematuria, rectorrhagia, and rectal tenesmus for about 2 months. A colonoscopy showed the presence of a rectal lesion at 11cm from the anal margin; multiple biopsies were performed and a diagnosis of moderately differentiated adenocarcinoma was made. Abdominal ultrasonography and total body computed tomography performed subsequently to stage the rectal cancer showed the presence of two round nodules, interpreted as swollen lymph nodes of neoplastic origin, at the anterior aspect of the iliopsoas muscle and a budding lesion affecting the bladder. The patient underwent transurethral biopsy of the lesion in the right retrotrigonal region; the diagnosis was grade II urothelial carcinoma. The patient underwent an open anterior rectal resection with loco-regional lymphadenectomy. An enlarged appendix and a voluminous whitish soft-tissue lesion requiring an appendicectomy were detected perioperatively. Transurethral resection of the bladder lesion was also performed. The histological examination revealed that the nodular lesions in the appendix were due to a cystadenoma. For mutation analysis, genomic deoxyribonucleic acid was isolated from tumor tissue samples; for PIK3CA mutations, screening revealed that all three samples analyzed carried mutations in exon 9.

Conclusions

Appendiceal mucoceles are rare but require adequate surgical treatment, given their malignant potential and the possibility of causing peritoneal pseudomyxoma. It is essential to make a correct preoperative evaluation based on a colonoscopy rather than ultrasound and computed tomography to exclude synchronous neoplasias often associated with mucoceles and to plan the optimum surgical strategy. The association between appendiceal mucoceles and other neoplasias is relatively frequent, especially with colorectal cancer. Oncogenic activation in the PIK3CA-depending pathway may contribute substantially to the pathogenesis of the different solid tumors in the same patient.

Appendix mucocele mimicking a complex ovarian cyst

Appendiceal mucocele is a rare entity which is characterized by cystic dilatation due to abnormal accumulation of mucus in the lumen of the appendix. Patients are often diagnosed incidentally by abdominal screening or abdominal surgery for other causes. Pain in the right lower quadrant of the abdomen, which may present as acute or chronic appendicitis, is the most common symptom of appendix mucocele, when the patient is symptomatic. This study describes the case of a 26-year-old female for whom surgical intervention for a complex ovarian cyst was planned, but who instead underwent laparoscopic appendectomy because appendiceal mucocele was determined during laparoscopic exploration.

Appendiceal mucocele: a missed diagnosis

A 38-year-old man presented to clinic with recurrent right iliac fossa pain from a young age; three episodes of which required hospital admission. He was otherwise well with no associated symptoms. In view of persistent pain and recurrent admissions a CT scan was arranged which showed a dilated retrocaecal appendix suggesting recurrent appendicitis. Further to CT findings the patient underwent an urgent appendicectomy for a presumed diagnosis of chronic appendicitis but histology in fact revealed a cystoadenoma of appendix. Postoperatively the patient's symptoms resolved and he was discharged from surgical care. It is important to note that in this case the diagnosis of appendiceal mucocele was not considered therefore not particularly accounted for during surgery. Has this been a malignant cystadenocarcinoma any spillage of malignant cells into the abdominal cavity during the operation could have a grave impact on long-term recovery and prognosis.

Mucocele of the vermiform appendix misdiagnosed as an adnexal mass on transvaginal sonography

Mucocele of the vermiform appendix is a rare entity that may mimic a right-sided adnexal mass. We describe a case of appendiceal mucocele in a 78-year-old woman that was initially misdiagnosed as a potentially malignant right ovarian tumor and briefly review the literature on sonographic features of this entity. It is important to improve preoperative diagnosis so as to prevent rupture of mucocele at surgery, which may lead to pseudomyxoma peritonei, and also to seek intraoperatively for the presence of synchronous colorectal neoplasms.

Appendiceal mucocele and peritoneal inclusion cyst mimicking right adnexal masses: a diagnostic challenge in gynecologic practice

Mucocele of the appendix (MA) is an uncommon disease. Preoperative differential diagnosis of MA and a peritoneal inclusion cyst (PIC) from gynecologic diseases is still a challenge. We herein report a very rare case with MA and PIC. As far as we know, this is the first report of a case having MA and PIC found simultaneously at surgery. A 31-year-old woman complained of lower abdominal pain and high fever. Based on her symptoms and laboratory tests, pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) was considered to be the most probable diagnosis. She underwent antibiotics therapy and her conditions subsided. However, ascites reappeared in a month, and ultrasound and MRI demonstrated a right ovarian cyst and a suspected right hydrosalpinx. Laparotomy revealed large PIC and MA with normal bilateral adnexa. Patients with an adnexal mass or symptoms suggesting PID should be examined carefully considering such conditions in a daily gynecologic practice.

Villous mucinous cystadenoma of the appendix in a postmenopausal woman

Because a significant number of mucoceles are caused by mucinous cystadenocarcinoma, the authors stress that a general surgeon be consulted in cases of right lower quadrant “dumbbell shaped” abdominal cysts.

Objective:

To present the case of a postmenopausal woman, who was suspected of having an ovarian cyst. Instead, a cystadenoma of the appendix was discovered during laparoscopy.

Methods:

A 64-year-old postmenopausal nulliparous woman was admitted to our hospital because of a cystic lesion, which had been detected in the course of a routine gynecological examination. The patient underwent vaginal ultrasound, magnetic resonance tomography, and laparoscopy.

Results:

During vaginal ultrasound, a dumbbell-shaped anechogenic cystic structure 70 × 32 × 22 mm in diameter was found in the region of the right adnexa. Magnetic resonance tomography revealed no additional information. During diagnostic laparoscopy, the cystic lesion was found to be a distended appendix. A laparoscopic appendectomy was performed. Subsequent histological analysis revealed a villous mucinous cystadenoma of the appendix with low-grade intraepithelial neoplasia.

Conclusion:

Gynecologists should routinely consider this disease in the differential diagnosis of right lower dumbbell abdominal cysts. Eleven percent to 20% of mucoceles are caused by mucinous cystadenocarcinomas, which carry the risk of peritoneal tumor implantation caused by rupture or laparoscopic resection. Therefore, it should be mandatory that a general surgeon be involved in the laparoscopic procedure and the conversion to laparotomy for resection of the structure.

Uncommon mimics of appendicitis: giant mucocele

Appendiceal mucocele is an infrequent but well recognized entity that can present with a variety of clinical syndromes or can be asymptomatic and discovered incidentally. A 55 years old patient was admitted in the emergency department for acute right lower quadrant pain. A diagnosis of appendicitis was made. At operation an appendiceal mucocele was found. An appendectomy was performed. The diagnosis of appendiceal mucocele is an important one in that it can be associated with malignancies and other serious gastrointestinal, ovarian, and urological complications.

Appendiceal mucocele mimicking a cystic right adnexal mass

OBJECTIVE

Appendiceal mucocele is formed by cystic dilatation, abnormal mucinous secretion and epithelial proliferation of the appendiceal lumen. Mucocele may be a finding in cases of benign or malignant neoplasms, and can lead to the development of pseudomyxoma peritonei.

CASE REPORT

A 71-year-old woman presented with a 3-day history of right lower abdominal pain radiating to her right thigh. A simple 5 x 7 cm cyst with smooth borders and a thick capsule was detected in the right adnexal area by transvaginal ultrasonography. Magnetic resonance imaging identified a 4 x 8 cm cystic lesion in the area of the right ovary. The patient was admitted to our clinic with an initial diagnosis of adnexal cyst, later found to be appendiceal mucocele.

CONCLUSION

The signs and symptoms of appendiceal mucocele are not specific. Because of its anatomic position, it should be considered in the differential diagnosis of adnexal masses.