A Schloffer tumor treated 27 years after appendectomy

Most complications of appendectomy occur in the early postoperative period. A 51-year-old woman presented to our hospital with abdominal fullness and a painful mass in the right lower abdomen. The painful mass was related to a scar from an appendectomy performed 27 years previously; some earlier episodes of pain had occurred after the operation. A tender mass 7 cm in diameter was palpable, extending from the appendectomy scar toward the umbilical region. Findings of abdominal ultrasonography and computed tomography were consistent with an abdominal wall abscess, which was excised. At operation, a thick-walled abscess was seen to extend from the appendectomy scar toward the umbilicus, and from within abdominal wall muscles to the preperitoneal fat; it did not communicate with any intra-abdominal organ. Bacteroides fragilis was isolated from the abscess contents. Pathologic examination revealed diffuse infiltration by inflammatory cells including neutrophils and plasma cells, with inflammation spreading into surrounding muscles. Our patient's findings indicate that the abdominal wall abscess (so-called Schloffer tumor) resulted from persistent inflammation following the appendectomy performed 27 years previously. Since treatment of Schloffer tumor is not difficult once the diagnosis is made, physicians and surgeons should be aware of Schloffer tumor as a possible late complication of appendectomy.