title: Appendiceal mucocele and pseudomyxoma peritonei; the clinical boundaries of a subtle disease.
abstract: METHODS
  Male, 70 • Male, 84.
  
  
  METHODS
  Appendiceal mucocele and pseudomyxoma peritonei.
  
  
  METHODS
  -.
  
  
  METHODS
  -.
  
  
  METHODS
  -.
  
  
  METHODS
  Surgery.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  Rare disease.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Mucocele of the appendix is an uncommon cystic lesion characterized by distension of the appendiceal lumen with mucus. Most commonly, it is the result of epithelial proliferation, but it can also be caused by inflammation or obstruction of the appendix. When an underlying mucinous cystadenocarcinoma exists, spontaneous or iatrogenic rupture of the mucocele can lead to mucinous intraperitoneal ascites, a syndrome known as pseudomyxoma peritonei.
  
  
  METHODS
  We report 2 cases that represent the clinical extremities of this heterogeneous disease; an asymptomatic mucocele of the appendix in a 70-year-old female and a case of pseudomyxoma peritonei in an 84-year-old male. Subsequently, we review the current literature focusing to the optimal management of both conditions.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Mucocele of the appendix is a rare disease, usually diagnosed on histopathologic examination of appendectomized specimens. Due to the existing potential for malignant transformation and pseudomyxoma peritonei caused by rupture of the mucocele, extensive preoperative evaluation and thorough intraoperative gastrointestinal and peritoneal examination is required.
authors.affiliation: 3rd Department of Surgery, IASO General Hospital, Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: Charalampos
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Spyropoulos
authors.affiliation: 3rd Department of Surgery, IASO General Hospital, Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: Achilleas
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rentis
authors.affiliation: 3rd Department of Internal Medicine, Gennimatas General Hospital, Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: Eleftheria
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Alexaki
authors.affiliation: Inflammatory Bowel Disease Unit, IASO General Hospital, Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: John K
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Triantafillidis
authors.affiliation: 3rd Department of Surgery, IASO General Hospital, Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: Constantine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Vagianos
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001062:Appendectomy; D001063:Appendiceal Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery; D001065:Appendix; D003082:Colectomy; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009078:Mucocele / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery; D009378:Neoplasms, Multiple Primary; D010534:Peritoneal Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery; D011553:Pseudomyxoma Peritonei / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed