[Mucocele of the appendix: Presentation of 31 cases].
Mucocele of the appendix is a very uncommon disease estimated to be seen in 0.2-0.3% of all appendectomies (0.28% in our series). The term "mucocele" means dilation of the appendix due to mucus, caused either by a benign process or a malignant one (cystadenoma or adenocarcinoma).


METHODS
We present a series of 31 cases (17 females) treated over 18 years and with a mean age of 62 years. The most frequent clinical symptom (14 cases, 45%) was pain in the right iliac fossa of less than 72 h onset which simulates acute appendicitis.


RESULTS
The histology results showed that it was benign in 21 cases. The appendix was removed in all cases; five by laparoscopy, with caecal resection in 8 cases (1 was a cystadenocarcinoma) and right ileocolectomy in 15 patients (9 malignant).


CONCLUSIONS
Follow up is recommended, not only to monitor the appendicular disease, but also due to the high incidence of synchronic or metachronic tumour processes in other areas.
García Lozano
Arturo
A
Servicio de Cirugía General, Hospital Dr. Peset, Valencia, España.
Vázquez Tarrago
Antonio
A
Castro García
Carmen
C
Richart Aznar
José
J
Gómez Abril
Segundo
S
Martínez Abad
Manuel
M
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001065:Appendix; D002429:Cecal Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009078:Mucocele / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D055815:Young Adult