Mucocele of the appendix: diagnosis and surgical management

Cystadenomas of the appendix are an unusual clinical entity. Despite a recognized constellation of findings, the diagnosis is not usually made prior to surgical exploration. A 65-year-old man is reported in whom preoperative evaluation, including sonography and angiography, resulted in the correct diagnosis confirmed at surgery. The appropriate use of newer diagnostic modalities will establish the preoperative diagnosis and facilitate surgical intervention. Appendectomy is curative for this condition, as neither regional nor distant lymph node metastases or hematogenous spread have been reported. When symptoms due to pseudomyxoma peritoneai occur, a continued aggressive surgical approach is justified.