Infection of a malignant appendiceal mucocele masquerading as an appendiceal abscess: role of preoperative sonography and CT.

We report the case of a 71-year-old lady with a suspected appendiceal abscess in whom preoperative sonography and CT demonstrated an infected appendiceal mucocele. The lesion was surgically removed and final pathologic examination revealed malignancy. Correct recognition of the mucocele prevented a potentially disastrous percutaneous drainage.