Mucinous cystadenoma of the appendix: diagnosis, surgical management, and follow-up.

PURPOSE To review the diagnostic examination and clinical presentation of mucinous cystadenoma of the appendix. METHODS Case report from experience at an Air Force tertiary care hospital in a 66-year-old woman with chronic right lower quadrant pain. RESULTS After extensive preoperative evaluation and subsequent diagnostic laparoscopy, a right hemicolectomy was performed for a mucinous cystadenoma of the appendix. CONCLUSIONS Appendiceal mucinous cystadenoma is a rare entity found in only 0.3% of appendiceal specimens. Preoperative evaluation with radiologic and endoscopic methods is helpful but not always diagnostic. Although a benign disease process, complications from rupture, invasion into adjacent organs, or recurrence warrant adherence to strict oncologic principles for resection.