[Appendiceal mucocele misdiagnosed with infected urachal cyst: a differential diagnosis to keep in mind].

OBJECTIVE

To report one case of appendiceal mucocele misdiagnosed with an infected urachal cyst and to review their differential diagnosis, treatment and prognosis.

PATIENT: We report the case of a 74-year-old-male with abdominal pain, fever and dysuria. Hypogastric abscess image in ultrasonography and CT. Percutaneous drainage and antibiotic therapy. Opaque enema, colonoscopy and cystoscopy were normal.

RESULTS

Exploratory laparotomy and resection of a large cecum-fixed mass, independent to the bladder. Appendectomy and cecectomy. Pathology showed an appendiceal mucinous cystoadenoma (mucocele).

CONCLUSIONS

Appendiceal mucoceles and urachal cysts are uncommon, mostly asymptomatic. Cystoadenoma or cystoadenocarcinoma mucoceles are large and can reach the midline, confounding with urachal cysts. Diagnosis by ultrasonography and/or CT. Surgical treatment in both, keeping the mucocele intact during operation to avoid the risk of pseudomyxoma peritonei.