Giant mucocele of the appendix. Case report and review of the literature

INTRODUCTION: Mucocele is a rare pathology of the appendix characterized by expansion of the lumen for a slow storage of mucous. Represents the 0.2-0.3 % of all the appendectomies. Clinical signs and the symptoms are similar to those of the acute appendicitis, while the disease is occasionally recorded and the diagnosis is essentially histological. AIM OF STUDY: To recall the clinical and anatomopathological features of mucocele evaluating the possible evolutions of this rare appendicular pathology according to the updating reports of the literature. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Study of a clinical case. DISCUSSION: In this study diagnostic chriteria and prognostic factors are revised. Authors evaluate anatomopathological classification, possibility of evolution in a preneoplastic and neoplastic lesion and association with other colon cancers. The surgical treatment is evaluated too. CONCLUSIONS: A correct preoperative mucocele diagnosis is emphasized as indispensable in the choice of the proper surgical treatment since a good prognosis is consequent to a radical treatment.