title: [Mucocele of the appendix: Presentation of 31 cases].
abstract: 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.
authors: Servicio de Cirugía General, Hospital Dr. Peset, Valencia, España.
authors: Arturo
authors: A
authors: García Lozano
authors: Antonio
authors: A
authors: Vázquez Tarrago
authors: Carmen
authors: C
authors: Castro García
authors: José
authors: J
authors: Richart Aznar
authors: Segundo
authors: S
authors: Gómez Abril
authors: Manuel
authors: M
authors: Martínez Abad
mesh_terms: 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