Clinical Features of Appendiceal Mucocele Diagnosed Preoperatively as Acute Appendicitis

Abstract

Background:Appendiceal mucocele is usually diagnosed preoperatively as appendicitis, and an additional procedure is sometimes required. This study evaluated clinical differences between appendiceal mucocele and appendicitis in patients diagnosed with appendicitis preoperatively.Materials and Methods:Participants comprised 937 patients with a preoperative diagnosis of appendicitis who underwent appendectomy between January 2002 and May 2011. Ten patients were subsequently diagnosed with appendiceal mucocele, while appendicitis was confirmed in the remaining cases. Various clinical factors were compared between these two groups.Results:Patient age and preoperative C-reactive protein (CRP) level were significantly higher in the mucocele group than in the appendicitis group. Preoperative white blood cell (WBC) count was lower in the mucocele group than in the appendicitis group. Both maximum diameter of the appendix on imaging and the proportion of cases with abscess were higher in the mucocele group.Conclusion:Clinical factors such as age, preoperative WBC count and CRP level, maximum diameter of the appendix, and proportion of cases with abscess may help to diagnose appendiceal mucocele. Careful examination and procedures are desirable if appendiceal mucocele is suspected.