Mucinous appendiceal adenocarcinomas: a diagnostic challenge. Issue 1 (22nd January 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Sharma, Ekta; Gokani, Shyam Ajay; Neville, Jonathan; Sinha, Ashish; Agarwal, Tushar
• Is Part Of: Journal of surgical case reports. Volume 2020:Issue 1(2020)
• Publication Date: 2020-01-22
• Subjects: Surgery -- Periodicals; Surgery -- Case studies -- Periodicals; 617.005
• DOI: 10.1093/jscr/rjz355
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2042-8812

Abstract

Abstract: Mucinous appendiceal neoplasms are rare and diagnosis is often difficult as patients present with non-specific symptoms often suggestive of appendicitis only and most diagnoses are made following post-surgery histology examination. Here we present a case of a mucinous appendiceal adenocarcinoma with areas of both Low-grade Appendiceal Mucinous Neoplasm and High-grade Appendiceal Mucinous Neoplasm, in a ruptured appendix at a district general hospital. Without early detection and treatment these pathologies can lead to pseudomyxoma peritonei, a syndrome of progressive mucinous ascites. This case highlights the limitations of radiological studies, benefits of diagnostic laparoscopy and provides a rationale for removing the mesoappendix with the appendix during routine appendectomies.