Case report, case study

https://doi.org/10.21860/medflum2026_343570

Appendiceal Mucocele in a Patient With Ulcerative Colitis – A Case Report

Kristina Samaržija orcid.org/0009-0005-9146-3557 ; General Hospital Karlovac, Department of Radiology, Karlovac, Croatia *
Petar Milošević ; General Hospital Karlovac, Department of Surgery, Karlovac, Croatia
Ivan Frketić ; General Hospital Karlovac, Department of Surgery, Karlovac, Croatia

* Corresponding author.

Abstract

Aim: We present the rare case of a patient who was incidentally diagnosed with mucocele of the vermiform appendix by radiologic examination due to symptoms of ulcerative colitis (UC) and point out the importance of making this diagnosis before surgery. Case report: A 66-year-old woman was admitted for bloody diarrhea, nausea, diffuse abdominal pain and fever. Ultrasonography revealed an anechoic tubular lesion with dorsal enhancement in the right lower quadrant of the abdomen. Computed tomography showed a cystically dilated appendix with low-density intraluminal contents, without wall thickening or inflammatory changes in the surrounding area. Colonoscopy with biopsy revealed acute UC. After the symptoms had subsided, an appendectomy was performed with very careful manipulation to avoid leakage of fluid into the abdominal cavity. Histopathology revealed a dilated appendix filled with abundant mucus and lined with mucinous epithelium without mitosis or atypia, suggesting a simple mucocele. Conclusion: Appendiceal mucocele is a morphologic term for an enlarged, mucus-filled appendix, regardless of the underlying pathology, which may be non-neoplastic or neoplastic. It is a very rare disease and often goes unrecognized. The concomitant occurrence of appendiceal mucocele and UC is particularly rare and there is still no reliable evidence of a causal connection between the two. Resection is recommended for all mucoceles as there is a possibility of malignancy. Preoperative diagnosis is important to prevent spontaneous or iatrogenic rupture. If diagnostic imaging techniques reveal a cystic lesion in the right lower quadrant of the abdomen, an appendicocele should be considered in the differential diagnosis.

Keywords

appendix; mucinous neoplasms; mucocele; ulcerative colitis

Hrčak ID:

343570

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/343570

Publication date:

1.3.2026.

Article data in other languages: croatian

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