[Cecal pseudotumor and appendicular mucocele in cystic fibrosis. Apropos of a case]

Fecal concretions adherent to the caecal mucosa and an appendicular mucocele may present as a palpable mass in the right iliac fossa. The authors report a case of a young man with mucoviscidosis who presented with these two signs and they propose a non-invasive diagnostic approach consisting of a plain X-ray of the abdomen, an ultrasound examination and a hypertonic, hydrosoluble contrast enema. Fecal concretions do not produce any specific features on the plain X-ray or on ultrasound but they are seen as a constant filling defect on the contrast enema and they may be evacuated with this technique, thus avoiding the need for surgery. The mucocele is rarely calcified on the plain abdominal film and ultrasound reveals a liquid contents. It should be treated by limited excision of the appendix. The discovery of an appendicular mucocele at any age should lead to the investigation for mucoviscidosis.