Appendiceal mucocoele: a case report and review of the literature

Mucocoele of the appendix denotes an obstructive dilatation of the appendiceal lumen due to abnormal accumulation of mucus, which may be related to a variety of pathological conditions. This may be the outcome of various processes. Most important for the surgeon, however, are the mucocoeles that are caused by mucinous cystadenomas and cystadenocarcinomas. In the latter case, a possible rupture of the mucocoele, either spontaneous or accidental, during surgery may result in the clinical condition of pseudomyxoma peritonei, a spread of malignant cells throughout the entire peritoneal cavity in the form of multiple mucinous deposits. It is therefore important both to identify the disease preoperatively and to plan a careful resection to remove the mass. We report one case and present the clinical and diagnostic aspects of this disease.