Mast cell count in surgically resected appendices

Two hundred appendices were studied for mucosal and submucosal mast cell counts. In histologically normal appendices mucosal mean mast cell count (47.63/sq mm) was more than submucosal mean mast cell count (44.27/sq mm). Those patients who were aged under 15 and above 46 years showed more mean mucosal mast cell count compared to others. In acute appendicitis both mucosal and submucosal mast cells were decreased and in subacute appendicitis their count was found to be intermediate between normal and acute appendicitis.