Diverticula of the vermiform appendix

The vermiform appendix can be the site of development of diverticula which may suffer either inflammatory complications with or without appendicitis or may only be an incidental finding in an uninflamed appendix. This is a retrospective study of 10 of 575 cases of consecutive appendices removed and examined within a year, with single or multiple appendiceal diverticula with diverticulitis and peridiverticulitis. In six of the 10, the lumen of the appendix did not show any inflammatory changes. In conclusion, one could assume that inflammatory complications of the appendiceal diverticula, although they may mimic acute appendicitis, are quite distinct clinical entities. Acute appendicitis in the presence of appendiceal diverticula may carry an earlier and higher rate of perforation and appendiceal diverticula, as an incidental finding, may justify appendectomy on occasion.     

Adenocarcinoid of the vermiform appendix

Adenocarcinoid of the appendix is a tumor that shares the histologic features of both carcinoids and adenocarcinomas. The metastatic ability of the tumor is uncertain. Twenty consecutive cases of adenocarcinoids were compared with 88 cases of conventional appendiceal carcinoids. Metastatic tumor spread was found in six of 20 cases of adenocarcinoids, but in none of the conventional carcinoids. Metastasizing tumors were characterized by a moderate to severe nuclear atypia and a high mitotic count. These features were present in only two of the nonmetastasizing tumors, one of which was treated by hemicolectomy. Adenocarcinoids showing moderate or severe nuclear atypia, a mitotic count of two or more mitoses/10 high power fields, or spread beyond the appendix should be treated by hemicolectomy. If these features are not present, simple appendectomy is adequate.     

Diverticulosis of the vermiform appendix

Vermiform appendix is an unusual site of diverticulosis. We present 3 examples of this entity and briefly review its pathogenesis and clinical significance. As a general rule, appendiceal diverticula are multiple, acquired naturally, and rarely associated with complications.     

Intestinal spirochetosis of the vermiform appendix

A series of 681 surgically removed appendices were examined for spirochetes. Five hundred seventy-four appendices were removed because of suspected acute appendicitis; the rest were removed per occasionem. One hundred six of the former were histologically normal, whereas 421 showed acute appendicitis. The remaining 47 specimens showed a variety of other pathological conditions, for example, tumors and diverticula. Spirochetes were found in 13 (12.3%) of the appendices removed from patients clinically suspected to suffer from acute appendicitis, but whose appendices were otherwise histologically normal (pseudoappendicitis). Only 3 patients (0.7%) with histologically confirmed acute appendicitis (p less than 0.05) did show spirochetes in their appendices. Of the 107 patients who had their appendices removed per occasionem, 2 patients (1.9%) had spirochetosis (p less than 0.05). The ultrastructure of the spirochetes obtained from appendices with spirochetosis was studied by means of negative staining and ultrathin sectioning. The morphology of these spirochetes was very similar to that of Brachyspira aalborgi, a spirochete recently isolated from rectal biopsy specimens obtained from patients with colorectal spirochetosis.     

Presenting features of Enterobius vermicularis in the vermiform appendix

Objective. Enterobius vermicularis (pinworm) infestation can present with symptoms resembling acute appendicitis, although current evidence suggests that it does not necessarily cause acute appendicitis. The purpose of this study was to characterize the clinical presentation of patients with pinworms in the vermiform appendix and to establish features suggestive of this condition. Material and methods. A retrospective analysis of all patients undergoing appendicectomy with appendicular pinworms between 1998 and 2003 was undertaken. Patients were compared against 54 controls with confirmed acute suppurative appendicitis from the same time period. Presenting features, vital signs and modified Alvarado scores were obtained from the patients’ records. Results. Eighteen out of 1150 patients (1.5%) undergoing appendicectomy were proven to have pinworms (age range 8–37 years, 12 F, 6 M). Two of 18 appendices containing pinworms showed evidence of inflammation. Patients with pinworms had significantly lower white cell counts (WCCs) than the control group (median 8.9 versus 14.7, p=0.045), lower total Alvarado scores (median 5.5 versus 7, p=0.01) and were more likely to have had recurrent episodes of right iliac fossa (RIF) pain and previous hospital admissions (p<0.001). Conclusions. E. vermicularis infestation of the appendix should be considered in the differential diagnosis of patients who present with recurrent RIF pain but do not have a significantly raised WCCs, or high Alvarado scores. These patients should be investigated with early fecal sampling and night-time application of cellophane tape, and they may benefit from empirical antiparasitic treatment.     

Mucosal hyperplasia (mucocele) of the vermiform appendix

Mucocele of the vermiform appendix was the term formerly used to describe all mucin-secreting lesions of the appendix. In actuality, there are three distinct clinicopathologic entities based on histologic differences. These are mucosal hyperplasia, cystadenoma, and mucinous cystadenocarcinoma of the appendix. Mucosal hyperplasia is usually an incidental finding during laparotomy for an unrelated condition. The case presented herein differed in that the patient had a three-month history of abdominal pain with nothing to suggest the presence of appendicitis, and a 3-cm opacification overlying the right iliac bone on x-ray.     

The management of primary adenocarcinoma of the vermiform appendix

Primary adenocarcinoma of the appendix is not of low grade malignancy as has been previously supposed and a right hemicolectomy is the proper procedure, offering a much better prognosis than simple appendicectomy.     

Nonspecific inflammatory pseudotumour of the caecum unrelated to the vermiform appendix

A case of nonspecific inflammatory pseudotumour of the caecum unrelated to the appendix is reported. Symptomatology, radiological findings, and intraoperative findings suggested a caecal carcinoma. A right hemicolectomy was carried out. Histologic examination revealed an inflammatory mass with abundant fibroblastproliferation and collagen formation infiltrating the muscularis and adjacent pericolic adipose tissue. The caecal mucosa was entirely intact and normal. Histology suggested sclerosing mesenteritis. A correct preoperative diagnosis of nonspecific inflammatory pseudotumours of the caecum is difficult, but awareness of its existence might prevent too radical surgical resections. The differential diagnosis is discussed.     

Combined duplication of the colon and vermiform appendix in an adult patient

Combined duplication of the colon and vermiform appendix is one of the rare congenital anomalities of the alimentary tract. Only a few cases have been reported in the adult population. A 28-year-old man presented to the clinic with a mass in the right flank. Imaging showed only a hydronephrotic atrophic kidney. The final diagnosis was only available at exploration. Combined duplication of the tubular colon and vermiform appendix was confirmed histopathologically. The patient was treated with nephrectomy and complete resection of the duplicated colon and vermiform appendix. The patient recovered uneventfully, and has done well for the past year. This is believed to be one of the first reports of combined duplication of the tubular colon and vermiform appendix as a cause of hydronephrotic atrophic kidney in an adult patient.     

Combined goblet cell carcinoid and mucinous cystadenoma of the vermiform appendix

Goblet cell carcinoid is an uncommon primary tumor of the vermiform appendix, characterized by dual endocrine and glandular differentiation. Whether goblet cell carcinoid represents a morphological variant of appendiceal classical carcinoid or a mucin-producing adenocarcinoma is a matter of conjecture. Rare cases of goblet cell carcinoid with other concomitant appendiceal epithelial neoplasms have been documented. In this report, we describe a rare case of combined appendiceal goblet cell carcinoid and mucinous cystadenoma, and discuss the possible histopathogenesis of this combination.