Appendiceal mucocele

Appendiceal mucoceles are rare lesions of appendix and the incidance in literature is 0.1-0.4 of all appendectomies. Mucocele is characterized by a gross enlargement of appendix from accumulation of mucoid substance within the lumen. There is a female predominance (female/male: 7/1) and an avarage age of diagnosis over 50s. Preoperative diagnosis of appendiceal mucocele is rare. Their clinical presentation is not specific and they are incidentally detected on imaging. USG confirms appendiceal involvement, but differential diagnosis with acute inflammation, abscess or localized peritonitis is to be made. CT is more specific and more accurate for diagnosis of mucocele. Mucocele can result from a simple mucous membrane hyperplasia with extreme mucous formation; or an adenoma; or an adenocarcinoma. Rupture of mucocele results in pseudomyxoma peritonei which significantly decreases survival of patients with appendiceal mucocele.

Appendiks mukoseli