Preoperatively Diagnosed Mucocele of the Appendix

Mucocele of the appendix is an infrequent entity, characterized by distension of the lumen due to accumulation of mucoid substance and is rarely diagnosed preoperatively. If untreated, mucocele may rupture producing a potentially fatal entity known as pseudomyxoma peritonei. The type of surgical treatment is related to the dimensions and the histology of the mucocele. Appendectomy is used for simple mucocele or for cystadenoma. Right hemi-colectomy is recommended for cystadenocarcinoma. In this paper, we report a case of an asymptomatic 37-year-old woman in whom mucocele was found on a routine ultrasound examination and preoperative computed tomography scan. Surgery revealed a big appendix measuring 84 mm in length and 40 mm in diameter. The final pathologic diagnosis was simple mucocele.