Incidental detection of appendiceal mucocele during colonoscopy: A case report

Appendiceal mucocele is a rare condition characterized by the accumulation of mucus within the appendix. It often presents with vague and non-specific symptoms, making its diagnosis and management challenging. The serious complication of this condition is pseudomyxoma peritonei, which can occur if the mucocele ruptures and disseminates mucus throughout the abdominal cavity.

In this case, a 37-year-old woman presented with nonspecific abdominal pain, leading to the incidental discovery of an appendiceal mucocele during a diagnostic workup. The patient underwent a successful laparoscopic appendectomy combined with partial cecectomy, and her post-operative recovery was uneventful.

The surgical management of appendiceal mucocele is still controversial. The aim is to avoid rupture, which can cause peritoneal dissemination and the development of pseudomyxoma peritonei. Depending on the extent of the mucocele and the presence of malignant features, treatment can range from simple appendectomy to more extensive procedures such as right hemicolectomy (Gopalan et al., 2024 [4]). Laparoscopic surgery, though minimally invasive, requires meticulous handling to avoid spillage of the mucocele's contents.

Given the potential complications, appendiceal mucocele should be included in the differential diagnosis once more common causes of abdominal pain are excluded. Early and accurate preoperative diagnosis is critical for guiding surgical management, as it helps prevent rupture and ensures the selection of the most appropriate surgical approach, minimizing the risk of further complications.