Mucocele of the Appendix

and a giant appendiceal mucocele was found with partial intussusception into the cecum ( fig. 2 ). Appendectomy plus partial cecal resection was performed. The final pathologic diagnosis was mucocele caused by chronic appendicitis. Mucocele of the appendix is a rare clinical entity, characterized by distension of the lumen due to accumulation of mucus. The reported prevalence is between 0.2% and 0.3% of all appendectomies [1] . Accurate diagA 48-year-old woman, with no discomfort, was admitted to our hospital due to the detection of a mass in the right lower quadrant of the abdomen. Physical examination revealed no abnormalities. An abdominopelvic CT scan demonstrated a 4-cm diameter, lowdensity, well-encapsulated mass with the presence of wall calcification extending below the inferior wall of the cecum ( fig. 1 a, b). Colonoscopy found an extrinsic impression on the cecum. Laparotomy was performed Published online: March 5, 2009