ACSTRAUMAVAULTACUTE CARE SURGERY← ACS Vault
ACUTE ABDOMEN • SENIOR RESIDENT / SURGEON

Appendiceal Mucocele

A cystic appendiceal lesion may represent benign obstruction or mucinous neoplasm; operative handling must minimize rupture and mucin spillage.

PROTOTYPE REVIEW REQUIRED
01
The Call

Middle-aged adult with intermittent right lower-quadrant discomfort

CT demonstrates a cystically dilated appendix without the usual diffuse inflammatory pattern of acute appendicitis.

Stable
The important distinction is inflammatory appendicitis versus a mucin-filled appendiceal lesion with neoplastic potential.
Read the Image • Clinical DataACS VISUAL
Appendiceal mucocele image from the ACS image archive.
Appendiceal mucocele image from the ACS image archive.
Make the Decision • Commit to a Plan

CT shows a cystic dilated appendix suspicious for mucinous neoplasm without rupture or peritoneal disease. Best operative principle?