APPENDICULAR MUCOCELE: CHALLENGING DIAGNOSIS AND SURGICAL TREATMENT – CASE REPORT AND LITERARY REVIEW

Abstract

Appendix mucocele (AM) is a rare condition characterized by the abnormal accumulation of mucus in the appendiceal lumen, resulting in distension of the structure. This condition can have a benign or malignant etiology and is classified according to histopathological characteristics. Clinical diagnosis is challenging, as symptoms are nonspecific or absent, often mimicking acute appendicitis or adnexal masses, especially in women. Diagnostic imaging, particularly ultrasound and computed tomography, plays a crucial role in identifying the lesion. Surgical treatment is the cornerstone of therapeutic management, with the choice of technique dependent on the size of the lesion, the suspicion of malignancy, and the risk of perforation, which can develop into pseudomyxoma peritonei – a serious and difficult-to-manage complication. This paper presents a case report of a young male patient with an abdominal mass in the right iliac fossa, diagnosed with appendiceal mucocele, and successfully treated with a conventional surgical approach. This case reinforces the importance of the differential diagnosis of AM in patients with atypical abdominal masses and highlights the need for an individualized and careful approach, combining clinical evaluation, imaging studies, and early surgical treatment to ensure a good prognosis.