Mucocele of the appendix. Two case reports
Sturniolo, G.; Barbuscia, M.; Taranto, F.; Tonante, A.; Paparo, D.; Romeo, G.; Nucera, D.; Lentini, M.
Il Giornale di Chirurgia 32(11-12): 487-490
2011
ISSN/ISBN: 0391-9005 PMID: 22217378 Document Number: 649460
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.