Granulomatous appendicitis

Granulomatous appendicitis as an isolated pathologic entity unassociated with systemic disease is extremely rare. Many such cases in the past have been called "primary tuberculous appendicitis." Others have been called "chronic appendicitis" or "Crohn's disease." Recent information indicates that Yersinia pseudotuberculous bacillus could also cause granulomas in the appendix. Within the past ten years the authors have come across three cases of granulomatous appendicitis. A review of the literature and retrospective study of the authors' cases suggest that the causative agent in many of these could be Yersinia. However, the authors believe that as long as there is no positive proof of the cause, such lesions should be considered granulomatous appendicitis.