Schistosomiasis of the appendix

The clinicopathological features of schistosomiasis of the appendix are discussed, based on the clinical presentation, operative findings and morphological changes in the specimens of patients seen in Ibadan between 1980 and 1989. Schistosoma haematobium was implicated as the causal agent of a granulomatous inflammatory reaction with eosinophilia and fibrosis. Intramuscular oviposition was associated with frank acute appendicitis, and serosal involvement resulted in peritoneal adhesions, with ileoileal intussusception in one patient. The actual role of schistosomal infestation as a contributory factor in appendicitis is still open to debate, but the diagnosis must be entertained in patients in the tropics with features of acute appendicitis or recurrent abdominal pain.