The Investigation of 14 Appendiceal Mucocele Cases Encountered in 4850 Appendectomy Patients

Appendiceal mucocele is a rarely seen disease which occurs when the appendix lumen is filled and obstructed by mucous. In our study, we aimed to reveal the surgical approach of our clinic, features of tumors, and clinical presentations in line with literature in cases of appendix mucocele.

Fourteen appendix mucocele patients who were admitted in our hospital between 2012 and 2019 were examined retrospectively in the electronic recording medium. Our patients were evaluated in terms of age, gender, clinical status, operation, imaging results, and pathology results.

Of the fourteen patients, 12 applied to the emergency department and 2 to the general surgery clinic. All of our patients had abdominal pain at the time of admission. In the physical examination, 5 (35%) patients had defenses, 10 (71%) patients had rebound tenderness, and 12 (85%) patients had tenderness. In preoperative imaging studies, 11 patients were interpreted as having acute appendicitis and 3 patients were evaluated as having appendix mucocele. The pathological results were reported as 6 patients had appendiceal mucocele and 8 patients had appendiceal mucocele together with acute appendicitis.

Appendiceal mucocele is a disease which generally causes similar clinical findings of acute appendicitis. Ultrasound and CT may be useful in preoperative diagnosis. Surgical treatment options of mucocele are open or laparoscopic appendectomy, cecum resection, and right hemicolectomy. Although its incidence is low, due to pseudomyxoma peritonei, it is a pathology that requires careful surgery.