Not Your Typical Mucocele: A Case Report of a Benign Sigmoidal Diverticular Mucocele

Daniel Alcantar1, Fanny Giron1, Layth Al-Jaashaami2

  • 1Internal Medicine, MacNeal Hospital, Berwyn, USA.

Cureus
|May 27, 2020
PubMed

Insights

This study reports the first case of a benign colonic mucocele originating from a sigmoid diverticulum. This rare condition caused a large bowel obstruction in a patient with a history of diverticulitis.

Area of Science:

  • Gastroenterology
  • Surgical Pathology

Background:

  • Mucoceles are rare in the colon, with even fewer cases arising from diverticula.
  • Previous literature documents only one instance of a colonic mucocele originating from a diverticulum.

Observation:

  • A 48-year-old male with a history of diverticulitis presented with abdominal pain and signs of large bowel obstruction.
  • CT imaging revealed a sigmoid mass causing obstruction.
  • Endoscopic attempts to resolve the obstruction were unsuccessful, necessitating surgical resection.

Findings:

  • Histopathological analysis of the resected sigmoid mass confirmed a mucocele arising from a diverticulum.
  • This represents the first documented case of a benign colonic mucocele originating from a sigmoid diverticulum.

Implications:

  • This case expands the known spectrum of colonic mucoceles.
  • Highlights the importance of considering rare diagnoses in patients with diverticulitis and obstructive symptoms.
  • Contributes to the understanding of diverticular complications.