MUCOCELE OF THE APPENDIX - ULTRASONOGRAPHIC AND CT FINDINGS

Background: Mucocele of the appendix is a rare disease entity, but pre operative diagnosis is very important. With the advent of ultrasonogra phy (US) and computed tomography (CT), it has been possible to preoper atively diagnose mucocele of the appendix. We describe the spectrum of US and CT findings of mucocele of the appendix and the differential p oints from mimicking diseases. Methods: We evaluated 17 patients with pathologically proven mucocele of the appendix by using US and CT. Pat hologic diagnoses of 17 patients were mucinous cystadenoma in 11 patie nts, mucinous cystadenocarcinoma in two, and mucosal hyperplasia in fo ur. We analyzed morphologic characteristics of mucocele of the appendi x at US and CT. Results: The typical US finding were a cystic mass wit h variable internal echogenicity, layered wall, and calcification in t he wall. The CT Ending was a well-encapsulated cystic mass with a wall of variable thickness. Both cases with focal nodular solid enhancing portion in the wall on CT were pathologically proven as mucinous cysta denocarcinoma. Conclusion: US and CT were useful methods in diagnosing mucocele of the appendix and differentiating this condition from mimi cking diseases. Nodular enhancing lesion in the wall of the mucocele m ay be a finding suggestive of malignant cause of mucocele.