Mucocele of the appendix. Two case reports

G Chir. 2011 Nov-Dec;32(11-12):487-90.

Abstract

The authors present two cases of mucocele of the appendix and discuss them in relation to the literature and the clinical features of this disease. They clarify the definition of mucocele as an intraluminal accumulation of mucus in the appendix, and concentrate on the observable pathological processes, agreeing on the higher frequency of mucinous cystadenoma and the possibility that mucocele can develop into peritoneal pseudomyxoma or degenerate into cystadenocarcinoma. They also note that most diagnoses are made intra-operatively during appendectomy, and that, in cases suspected preoperatively, thorough investigation with imaging techniques is very important in order to plan the best treatment.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Abdominal Pain / etiology
  • Adult
  • Appendectomy
  • Appendiceal Neoplasms / etiology
  • Appendiceal Neoplasms / prevention & control
  • Appendicitis / diagnosis
  • Appendix / pathology*
  • Appendix / surgery
  • Cecal Diseases / complications
  • Cecal Diseases / diagnosis*
  • Cecal Diseases / surgery
  • Cystadenocarcinoma / etiology
  • Cystadenocarcinoma / prevention & control
  • Diagnostic Errors
  • Disease Susceptibility
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Incidental Findings
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Mucocele / complications
  • Mucocele / diagnosis*
  • Mucocele / surgery