ACQUIRED DIVERTICULOSIS OF THE VERMIFORM APPENDIX - A DISEASE OF MULTIPLE ETIOLOGIES - A RETROSPECTIVE ANALYSIS AND REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE

Acquired diverticular disease of the vermiform appendix is a rare cond ition that usually presents with the symptoms of acute appendicitis. T his analysis was undertaken to determine the spectrum and prevalence o f the associated lesions in acquired appendiceal diverticulosis. Thirt y-one cases of acquired appendiceal diverticular disease were identifi ed from fires over a period of 15 years (1982-1996). Diverticulosis wa s the only abnormality in 17 cases (54.8%). An associated neoplastic e pithelium was present in nine (29%) patients (seven adenomata and two goblet cell carcinoids), fecalith formation in three (9.7%), and a neu roma in two (6.5%). Although rare, diverticular disease of the vermifo rm appendix was frequently seen in association with an adenomatous muc osa. In our experience, one appendiceal adenoma coexisted with a colon ic adenocarcinoma. In conclusion, the diagnosis of appendiceal diverti culosis necessitates the exclusion of coexisting appendiceal neoplasia .