title: Calcified mucocele of the appendix presenting as ureteral obstruction.
abstract: Mucocele of the appendix, a rare lesion, occurs in 0.3% of patients undergoing appendectomy. Only 46 cases of calcified mucocele have been reported. Complications reported include appendiceal intussusception, rupture resulting in acute abdomen, and infection. We report the case of a 74-year-old man with a calcified mucocele of the appendix that was discovered in the evaluation of a ureteral obstruction. During exploratory surgery, the patient was found to have a 6 x 5 cm appendiceal tumor and underwent a right ileocolectomy. Pathologic examination showed calcified mucous cystadenoma of the appendix. Calcification of a mucocele is believed to denote chronicity. Our case is the first report of ureteral obstruction secondary to calcified mucocele and the second calcified mucocele to be seen on computerized tomography. Calcified mucocele should be included in the differential diagnosis of any calcified tumor in the right lower quadrant.
authors.affiliation: Dept. of Colon and Rectal Surgery, Ochsner Clinic, New Orleans, LA 70121.
authors.forename: W H
authors.initials: WH
authors.lastname: Risher
authors.forename: J E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Ray
authors.forename: T C
authors.initials: TC
authors.lastname: Hicks
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001063:Appendiceal Neoplasms / Q000150:complications* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D002114:Calcinosis / Q000150:complications* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D003537:Cystadenoma / Q000150:complications* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D014517:Ureteral Obstruction / Q000209:etiology*