Mucinous cystadenoma of the appendix: A Case Report

Mucocoele of the appendix is a rare cystic dilatation of the appendiceal lumen caused by mucinous secretions and consecutive retention of mucus. It can be caused by either non-neoplastic or primary epithelial neoplastic disease.^1,2 The neoplastic variants are caused by mucus-producing epithelial neoplasms including mucinous adenomas or cystadenomas, mucinous tumours of uncertain malignancy and mucinous cystadenocarcinomas. ^2,3,5 Most of these tumours are asymptomatic and may be found incidentally.^1,2,5,6,7 Others become symptomatic because of inflammation in, for example, acute appendicitis or as a cause of nonspecific abdominal pain,⁵ per rectal bleeding, ureteral obstruction, haematuria or intussusception.¹³ A major complication of neoplastic mucinous appendiceal tumours is the development of pseudomyxoma peritonei, which has a high rate of morbidity and mortality⁸.