[Crohn's disease of the appendix]

Crohn's disease limited to the appendix is uncommon. Clinically, it is likely to mimic acute appendicitis. It is more frequent in young people and definitive diagnosis is histological. We present a series of seven cases of Crohn's disease of the appendix that were treated in our surgery service over the past 12 years. The seven patients had pain in the lower right quadrant. In all patients, the preoperative diagnosis was acute appendicitis and appendectomy was performed. Histopathological evaluation was required for diagnosis. In the postoperative course, one patient was diagnosed with colonic Crohn's disease, and outcome was favorable with medical treatment. Although isolated Crohn's disease of the appendix is a rare entity, it should be considered in the preoperative differential diagnosis of patients with right lower quadrant pain and a protracted preoperative course mimicking acute appendicitis. Disease recurrence elsewhere in the alimentary tract is uncommon.