Mucinous cystadenoma of the appendix: a rare cause of acute abdomen.
BACKGROUND
We aimed to assess the acute abdominal conditions due to appendiceal mucinous cystadenomas.


METHODS
We retrospectively evaluated 11 patients with histopathologically confirmed appendiceal mucinous cystadenoma. Patient charts and data on patient demographics; clinical features; ultrasonography (US), colonoscopy and computed tomography (CT) findings; pathology reports; and operative and postoperative management were reviewed.


RESULTS
The incidence of appendiceal mucinous cystadenoma was 0.95% of all appendectomy specimens reviewed. In our review, there were 11 patients, five of whom were women. The median age was 70 years (50-85 years), and the most common presentation was abdominal pain (81.8%). On US in eight patients, findings were abdominal cystic mass and cyst wall calcification. The CT finding was well-encapsulated cystic mass in eight patients. In one case, a colonic mass was found in colonoscopic examinations. There was one patient with concomitant colon cancer. Appendectomy was performed in nine patients and right hemicolectomy was performed in two patients.


CONCLUSIONS
Colonoscopy, US, and CT are useful tools in diagnosing mucocele and synchronous cancer. However, diagnosis is usually made intraoperatively or postoperatively on histopathological examination. Appendectomy is the standard of care for mucinous cystadenoma. Furthermore, it is important to prevent spillage of the mucocele content.
Calişkan
Kenan
K
Department of General Surgery, Başkent University, School of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey. ken_caliskan@yahoo.com
Yildirim
Sedat
S
Bal
Nebil
N
Nursal
Tarik Zafer
TZ
Akdur
Aydin Can
AC
Moray
Gökhan
G
D000006:Abdomen, Acute / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001062:Appendectomy; D001063:Appendiceal Neoplasms / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D003113:Colonoscopy / Q000379:methods; D018291:Cystadenoma, Mucinous / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011859:Radiography; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014463:Ultrasonography