Appendiceal mucocele. a retrospective analysis of 19 cases.

BACKGROUND

Appendiceal mucocele is an infrequent well-recognized entity that can present in a variety of clinical syndromes or can be asymptomatic and discovered incidentally.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Nineteen patients with a diagnosis of primary appendiceal mucocele treated in our institution between January 1, 1987 and December 31, 2006 were included in this retrospective analysis.

RESULTS

The histological examination of the specimens revealed simple and hyperplastic appendiceal mucocele in nine cases (47%), mucinous appendiceal cystadenoma in eight cases (42%), and mucinous appendiceal cystadenocarcinoma in two cases (11%). Thirteen patients (68%) underwent appendectomy, five patients (26%) right colectomy, and two patients (6%) underwent right colectomy for invasive appendiceal cystadenocarcinoma and at the same time right nephrectomy and sigmoidectomy, respectively, for concomitant malignancy.

CONCLUSION

Mucocele of the appendix may be related to a benign or malignant appendiceal process, leading to individualized diagnosis and treatment.