Appendicitis and Benign Appendiceal Mucocele Presenting as Large Bowel Obstruction

Abstract

Introduction

Appendiceal mucocele is most commonly encountered incidentally during appendectomy.

Methods

We report a case of large bowel obstruction presenting as a closed loop with an appendiceal mucocele as the lead point, superimposed on a chronic ileal stricture that had been misdiagnosed as irritable bowel syndrome.

Results

The patient underwent ileocecal resection and primary anastomosis. She did well postoperatively, and her irritable bowel syndrome disappeared.

Conclusions

Appendiceal mucocele can present in a variety of ways, and surgeons should be alert for atypical presentations. Moreover, some patients with intermittent abdominal pain deserve anatomic investigation before being dismissed as having irritable bowel.