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Periappendiceal submucosal abscess presenting as a cecal mass
Joy Sarkar1, Timothy P Plackett, Ronald A Gagliano
1Department of Surgery, Tripler Army Medical Center, Honolulu, Hawaii 96859, USA.
Surgical Infections
|August 24, 2011
Summary
A rare submucosal abscess in the appendix was incidentally discovered during anemia workup. This case highlights the importance of considering periappendiceal abscesses in the differential diagnosis of gastrointestinal masses.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Surgical Pathology
Background:
- Submucosal abscesses are uncommon in the gastrointestinal tract.
- Appendiceal involvement by submucosal abscesses has not been previously documented.
Observation:
- A patient presented with a periappendiceal mass incidentally found during anemia investigation.
- Initial diagnosis suggested a cecal neoplasm, leading to an ileocecectomy.
Findings:
- Histological examination revealed a submucosal periappendiceal abscess.
- No evidence of malignancy was detected in the resected specimen.
Implications:
- This case represents a unique presentation of an incidental periappendiceal submucosal abscess, unrelated to acute appendicitis, infection, or surgery.
- Periappendiceal submucosal abscess should be considered in the differential diagnosis for masses identified during colonoscopy.
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