Case report of incidental and asymptomatic appendiceal cavernous hemangioma

Appendix hemangiomas are extremely rare - only a few reported cases exist in published literature.

Here we present the case of incidental appendiceal hemangioma that was discovered upon surgery for unrelated colon cancer. An atypical right hemicolectomy was performed as treatment of this unsuspected pathology.

Other than in the liver, cavernous hemangiomas are rare intra or retroperitoneal tumors. Only three cases of appendiceal hemangioma exist in published literature and this is the first one that was asymptomatic. Accordingly, there are no tools for making preoperative diagnosis. Focal calcifications and a thickened appendix on computed tomography scans may indicate hemangioma even in this unusual location.

We believe that appendectomy or atypical ileocecal resection of the colon is the method of choice for treatment of appendiceal hemangioma due to its non-metastatic potential.