The Analysis of Appendiceal Mucocele with Emphasis on the Colonoscopic Findings / 대한소화기내시경학회지

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Appendiceal mucocele is relatively rare disease, however early diagnosis and adequate treatment is important because the rupture of mucocele during operation may results in pseudomyxoma peritonei which is fatal. Colonoscopy is very important tool to diagnose the mucocele of appendix earlier period. METHODS: We retrospectively analysed the medical records of ten cases of appendiceal mucoceles which were suspected by colonoscopy and surgically confirmed from January 1997 to March 2004. RESULTS: There was no gender difference and mean age was 55 years old. The colonoscopic findings of appendiceal mucocele were a type of submucosal tumor and the orifice of appendix was not seen in all the cases. The size was variable from 2.5 cm to 5.0 cm and the shape was spherical in majority, but one case of appendiceal mucocele lately diagnosed as mucinous cystadenocarcinoma had elongated, oval shape. The histologic diagnosis after resection were as follows mucosal hyperplasia 4 cases (40%), mucinous cystadenoma 5 cases (50%) and mucinous cystadenocarcinoma 1 case (10%). CONCLUSIONS: Colonoscopy is an important diagnostic tool for suspecting appendiceal mucocele. It is important to confirm by surgical resection of appendiceal mucocele which is found even incidentally by colonoscopy.