[Mucocele of the appendix: Presentation of 31 cases]

Abstract

Mucocele of the appendix is a very uncommon disease estimated to be seen in 0.2-0.3% of all appendectomies (0.28% in our series). The term "mucocele" means dilation of the appendix due to mucus, caused either by a benign process or a malignant one (cystadenoma or adenocarcinoma).

Material and methods: We present a series of 31 cases (17 females) treated over 18 years and with a mean age of 62 years. The most frequent clinical symptom (14 cases, 45%) was pain in the right iliac fossa of less than 72 h onset which simulates acute appendicitis.

Results: The histology results showed that it was benign in 21 cases. The appendix was removed in all cases; five by laparoscopy, with caecal resection in 8 cases (1 was a cystadenocarcinoma) and right ileocolectomy in 15 patients (9 malignant).

Conclusion: Follow up is recommended, not only to monitor the appendicular disease, but also due to the high incidence of synchronic or metachronic tumour processes in other areas.