PubMed Health⌕ Search
Home/Archive/PubMed

PubMed · 10653074

Appendiceal diverticulitis.

R J Place·C L Simmang·P J Huber
View original source ↗Export metadata ↓

Abstract

We report the case of a 56-year-old man with episodic right lower quadrant abdominal pain. Preoperative evaluation included computed tomography (CT) showing a right lower quadrant phlegmon consistent with cecal diverticulitis or appendicitis. The patient was treated with a short course of bowel rest and antibiotics. Four weeks later, he had an appendectomy. The patient was found to have chronic appendiceal diverticulitis and recovered uneventfully. Histopathologic studies revealed herniated mucosa through the muscular layer associated with chronic inflammation and marked fibrosis. These findings represent appendiceal diverticulitis. Diverticulosis of the appendix is believed to be uncommon and roentgenologic diagnosis of appendiceal diverticular disease is rarely made. We discuss the diagnosis and CT findings of appendiceal diverticulitis and present a thorough review of the literature.

Explore related subjects

AppendectomyAppendixCecal DiseasesDiverticulitisHumansMaleMiddle AgedCase ReportsJournal Article

Keep this discovery

Explore connections, maps & timelines

BibTeXRIS

R J Place, C L Simmang, P J Huber. 2000. Appendiceal diverticulitis.. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10653074/

Cite the original work for its findings. Save a collection to share your selection of sources.

KEEP EXPLORING

Related citations

PubMed2000

Surgical and pathological basis for interval appendicectomy after resolution of appendicular mass in children.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: The role of appendicectomy after the resolution of appendicular mass is debatable. A study was conducted to evaluate whether surgical and pathological features of the excised appendices favor the operation in the quiescent period. METHODS: During a 60-month period, 59 patients were admitted in our unit with a diagnosis of appendicular mass and were treated initially with conservative management. Five patients failed to respond to this management and they were operated on immediately. RESULTS: Fifty-four patients recovered fully, and relatives were advised to bring them back to the hospital for appendicectomy on a scheduled date after 6 weeks. Fifteen of 54 (27.7%) patients did not return, but the other 7 came back because they had symptoms of recurrent appendicitis. The remaining 32 patients underwent appendicectomy as scheduled. The surgical findings and pathological features of excised appendices showed various abnormalities. CONCLUSIONS: Considering these features it could be concluded that delayed appendicectomy is unjustified in patients with absent appendix or with its lumen obliterated, whereas the other remaining patients who harbored normal, thickened, fibrotic, transected, stump, and appendix with chronic inflammation or containing fecal casts would benefit from operation. Because we have no method to date to distinguish between these variants "in situ" delayed appendicectomy seems beneficial for all the patients who respond well to the initial management of appendicular mass.

Appendectomy↗
PubMed2000

Gangliocytic paraganglioma of the appendix.

AIMS: A case of gangliocytic paraganglioma is reported in the appendix which, to the best of our knowledge, is the first case at this particular site to be described in modern literature. METHODS AND RESULTS: A 47-year-old man with signs and symptoms of acute appendicitis underwent appendectomy. In the resected specimen a tumour with a diameter of 9 mm was found, which microscopically consisted of three different cell types: (a) epithelioid cells lying in a trabecular pattern and in formations reminiscent of 'Zellballen' as seen in paragangliomas (b) spindle cells and (c) ganglion-like cells. A diagnosis of 'gangliocytic paraganglioma' was made and confirmed by immunohistochemical and ultrastructural examination. CONCLUSION: Gangliocytic paragangliomas are rare tumours of uncertain histogenesis. More than 40 years ago a tumour in the appendix with features similar to our case was described by Masson as 'neuro-carcinoïde'. Concerning its origin, Masson, as well as other authors describing gangliocytic paragangliomas decades later, referred to the endodermal-neuroecto dermal complexes found by Van Campenhout. It is felt that the current finding of a gangliocytic paraganglioma in the appendix supports the hypothesis that gangliocytic paragangliomas arise from these embryonal structures.

Appendectomy↗