Korean J Gastrointest Endosc.  2005 May;30(5):243-248.

The Analysis of Appendiceal Mucocele with Emphasis on the Colonoscopic Findings

• Paik BL
• Kim AR
• Lee JH
• Lee SB
• Kim H
• Park SJ
• Ji SR
• Park ET
• Lee YJ
• Lee SH
• Seol SY
• Chung JM
• Jung SJ

Abstract

BACKGROUND/AIMS
Appendiceal mucocele is relatively rare disease, however early diagnosis and adequate treatment is important because the rupture of mucocele during operation may results in pseudomyxoma peritonei which is fatal. Colonoscopy is very important tool to diagnose the mucocele of appendix earlier period.
METHODS
We retrospectively analysed the medical records of ten cases of appendiceal mucoceles which were suspected by colonoscopy and surgically confirmed from January 1997 to March 2004.
RESULTS
There was no gender difference and mean age was 55 years old. The colonoscopic findings of appendiceal mucocele were a type of submucosal tumor and the orifice of appendix was not seen in all the cases. The size was variable from 2.5 cm to 5.0 cm and the shape was spherical in majority, but one case of appendiceal mucocele lately diagnosed as mucinous cystadenocarcinoma had elongated, oval shape. The histologic diagnosis after resection were as follows: mucosal hyperplasia 4 cases (40%), mucinous cystadenoma 5 cases (50%) and mucinous cystadenocarcinoma 1 case (10%).
CONCLUSIONS
Colonoscopy is an important diagnostic tool for suspecting appendiceal mucocele. It is important to confirm by surgical resection of appendiceal mucocele which is found even incidentally by colonoscopy.

Keyword

Appendiceal mucocele; Colonoscopy

MeSH Terms

Appendix
Colonoscopy
Cystadenocarcinoma, Mucinous
Cystadenoma, Mucinous
Diagnosis
Early Diagnosis
Humans
Hyperplasia
Medical Records
Middle Aged
Mucocele*
Pseudomyxoma Peritonei
Rare Diseases
Retrospective Studies
Rupture