Luise Pernar, HMS IV
Gillian Lieberman, MD
Appendiceal Mucoceles
Luise Pernar, Harvard Medical
School IV
Gillian Lieberman, MD
September 2006
Luise Pernar, HMS IV
Gillian Lieberman, MD
2
Patient 1: JH
• 68 yo woman with history of
myelodysplastic syndrome
• Admitted to BIDMC for induction of
chemotherapy for acute myelogenous
leukemia
• During course of induction patient
developed fever and neutropenia
• CT scan was performed to search for
possible site of infection
Luise Pernar, HMS IV
Gillian Lieberman, MD
3
Patient 1: JH - CT
PACS, BIDMC - Courtesy of Karen Lee, MD
Cecum
Terminal Ileum
Cyst
(27 HU)
Focal wall calcification
Luise Pernar, HMS IV
Gillian Lieberman, MD
4
Patient 1: JH - CT
• Findings summary:
– Cystic structure adjacent to cecum near
ileocecal junction; appendix not seen
separately
– Density ~ 27HU
– Suggestion of rim-enhancement of cystic wall
with focal calcification
– No surrounding stranding suggestive of
inflammation
Officially read as: ‘likely an appendiceal
mucocele’
Luise Pernar, HMS IV
Gillian Lieberman, MD
5
Patient 2: LC
• 54 yo woman with history of breast cancer
diagnosed in 2000; treated with L mastectomy,
chest wall radiation therapy, tamoxifen
• Presented with complaints of abdominal
distention and mild abdominal pain
• Paracentesis yielded 1.5L of ascites fluid with
malignant cells
• CT scan was performed to determine possible
source
Luise Pernar, HMS IV
Gillian Lieberman, MD
6
Patient 2: LC - CT
PACS, BIDMC - Courtesy of Karen Lee, MD
Cecum
Terminal Ileum
Cyst (34 HU)
Rim-enhancement
Ascites fluid
Omental caking
Luise Pernar, HMS IV
Gillian Lieberman, MD
7
Patient 2: LC - CT
• Findings summary:
– Cystic structure adjacent to cecum and ileum;
appendix not seen separately
– Density ~ 34HU
– Suggestion of rim-enhancement of cystic wall
– No surrounding stranding suggestive of
inflammation
– Omental caking and ascites
Officially read as: ‘could represent an
appendix mucocele’
Luise Pernar, HMS IV
Gillian Lieberman, MD
8
Appendiceal Mucocele - Definition
• Appendiceal lesion characterized by
– Appendiceal lumen dilation
– Mucosal lining alteration
– Hypersecretion of mucus
– Potential for extension outside the appendix
This definition is problematic since it is
descriptive and does not convey information
about the primary underlying disease
Higa et.al. Cancer 1973
Luise Pernar, HMS IV
Gillian Lieberman, MD
9
Appendiceal Mucocele - Definition
• Histologically mucoceles can be divided into
– Mucosal hyperplasia (25%)
– Mucinous cystadenoma (63%)
– Mucinous cystadenocarcinoma (12%)
– Retention cysts have also been described
• Malignancy of mucoceles has been variably
defined by
– Histologic type of epithelial cells in resected specimen
– Dissection of the appendiceal wall by mucin
– Presence of epithelial cells in mucin if there has been
egress into the peritoneal cavity
Lo and Sarr Hepatogastroenterology 2003; Higa et.al. Cancer 1973
Luise Pernar, HMS IV
Gillian Lieberman, MD
10
Incidence and Diagnosis
• Frequency: 0.1% - 0.4% of all appendectomy specimens
show findings consistent with mucocele
• F:M = 1.2-4:1
• Age at diagnosis 50’s-60’s
• 49% symptomatic
– Malignant appendiceal mucoceles more frequently become
symptomatic
– Common presenting complaints are
• abdominal pain (27%)
• palpable abdominal mass (16-25%)
• abdominal distention (14%)
• weight loss (10%)
• Laboratory analysis may show elevated CEA, WBC, and
ESR
Stocchi et.al. Arch Surg 2003; Lo and Sarr Hepatogastroenterology 2003; Blair et.al. Am J Surg 1993; Landen et.al.
Surg Gynecol Obstet 1992
Luise Pernar, HMS IV
Gillian Lieberman, MD
11
Differential Diagnosis
• Intraperitoneal
– Other appendiceal neoplasm (lipoma, fibroma,
neuroma, carcinoid, lymphoma)
– Appendicitis
– Cyst (ovarian, mesenteric, omental)
– Mesenteric hematoma or tumor
– Abdominal abscess
– Hydrosalpinx
• Retroperitoneal
– Inflammation
– Tumor
– Hemorrhage
Horgan et.al. AJR 1984
Luise Pernar, HMS IV
Gillian Lieberman, MD
12
Imaging of Mucoceles
• Correct preoperative diagnosis is key for
appropriate surgical intervention (more on this
later)
• Diagnostic imaging modalities used in
preoperative diagnosis include
– US
– X-ray
– Barium enema
– Endoscopy
– CT
Luise Pernar, HMS IV
Gillian Lieberman, MD
13
Mucocele on US – Companion Patient 1
Trans-abdominal US
showing:
• Elongated, unilocular
cystic structure with
internal echos
• Enhanced through-
transmission
suggested cyst is
fluid-filled
• Indistinct cystic wall
Pickhardt et.al. RadioGraphics 2003
Luise Pernar, HMS IV
Gillian Lieberman, MD
14
Mucocele on US – Companion Patient 2
Trans-abdominal US
showing:
• Elongated, unilocular
cystic mass (M) with
internal echos
• No distinct cyst wall
• No posterior or lateral
shadowing
Sasaki et.al. Abdom Imaging 2003
Luise Pernar, HMS IV
Gillian Lieberman, MD
15
Mucocele on US – Companion Patient 3
Trans-abdominal US
showing:
• Cystic mass with
echogenic layers
‘onion-skin’ sign
Caspi et.al. J Ultrasound Med 2004
Luise Pernar, HMS IV
Gillian Lieberman, MD
16
Mucocele on X-ray – Companion
Patient 4
Coned-down plain film
of RLQ showing:
• Round mass
(Arrowheads)
• Curvy-linear
calcifications (White
arrows)
Pickhardt et.al. RadioGraphics 2003
Luise Pernar, HMS IV
Gillian Lieberman, MD
17
Mucocele on X-ray – Companion
Patient 5
Plain film of RLQ
showing:
• Rounded mass
suggested by wall
cacifications (Arrows)
Higa et.al. Cancer 1973
Luise Pernar, HMS IV
Gillian Lieberman, MD
18
Mucocele on Barium Enema –
Companion Patient 6
Single contrast barium
enema showing:
• Smooth, broad-based
filling defect
(Arrowhead) in the
medial cecum
adjacent to the
ileocecal valve
Pickhardt et.al. RadioGraphics 2003
Luise Pernar, HMS IV
Gillian Lieberman, MD
19
Mucocele on Barium Enema –
Companion Patient 7
Air-barium double
contrast enema
showing:
• Smooth, submucosal
filling defect (M) in the
medial cecum
Pickhardt et.al. RadioGraphics 2003
Luise Pernar, HMS IV
Gillian Lieberman, MD
20
Mucocele on Colonoscopy –
Companion Patient 6
Colonoscopy, performed on
patient 6 seen previously,
showing:
• Bulbous, smooth
submucosal lesion (M)
protruding into the cecum
• Mass’s movement with
respiration is thought
classic for a mucocele
Pickhardt et.al. RadioGraphics 2003
Luise Pernar, HMS IV
Gillian Lieberman, MD
21
Mucocele on Colonoscopy –
Companion Patient 8
Colonoscopy showing:
• Bulbous, smooth
submucosal lesion
protruding into the cecum
at the site of the
appendiceal orfice
• Appendiceal orfice seen
at the center of the
mound is the ‘volcano’
sign considered classic
for a mucocele
Zanati et.al. Gastrointest Endosc 2005
Luise Pernar, HMS IV
Gillian Lieberman, MD
22
Mucocele on CT – Companion Patient 6
CT scan, of patient 6 seen previously, showing:
• Cystic lesion (Arrowhead) adjacent to cecum extending into the
peritoneal cavity (Arrow)
• Density range for mucoceles seen on CT ~ 10-45HU
• Note absence of peri-appendiceal inflammation or abscess
Pickhardt et.al. RadioGraphics 2003
Luise Pernar, HMS IV
Gillian Lieberman, MD
23
Mucocele on CT – Companion Patient 9
CT scan showing:
• Low-density, well-
capsulated mass
(Arrow) adjacent to
the cecum in the
expected location of
the appendix
Sasaki et.al. Abdom Imaging 2003
Luise Pernar, HMS IV
Gillian Lieberman, MD
24
Imaging of Mucoceles –
Summary of Findings
• US – Elongated, unilocular cyst-like mass with internal
echos; indistinct wall; ‘onion-skin’ sign may be
pathognomonic
• X-ray – RLQ rounded mass with curvilinear calcification
• Barium enema – Smooth, broad-based filling defect in
the cecum
• Endoscopy – Bulbous, smooth, submucosal lesion
protruding into the cecum near site of the appendiceal
orfice; ‘volcano sign’ and movement of the mass with
respirations are considered classic for appendiceal
mucocele
• CT – RLQ mass adjacent to the cecum with low-
attenuating content (0-45HU) and wall calcification
Zanati et.al. Gastrointest Endosc 2005; Caspi et.al. J Ultrasound Med 2004; Pickhardt et.al. RadioGraphics 2003;
Sasaki et.al. Abdom Imaging 2003; Higa et.al. Cancer 1973
Luise Pernar, HMS IV
Gillian Lieberman, MD
25
Why Pre-op Diagnosis?
• Feared complication of appendiceal mucocele,
due to any cause, is
PSEUDOMYXOMA PERITONEI
– Diffuse, gelatinous, cellular ascites
– Origin thought to be
• Dissemination of mucinous cells from appendiceal mucocele
due to rupture of appendix or metastatic spread OR
• Neoplastic transformation of peritoneum following mucinous
metaplasia of mesothelium
– Often fatal without treatment as it causes intestinal
obstruction
Hinson and Ambrose Br J Surg 1998; Prayson et.al. Am J Surg Pathol 1994
Luise Pernar, HMS IV
Gillian Lieberman, MD
26
Pseudomyxoma Peritonei on US –
Companion Patient 10
Rectal ultrasound
showing:
• Thick, gelatinous fluid
(F) in the pouch of
Douglas
Khan et.al. Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol 2002
Luise Pernar, HMS IV
Gillian Lieberman, MD
27
Pseudomyxoma Peritonei on CT –
Companion Patient 11
CT scan showing:
• Diffuse intraperitoneal
locules with mass
effect on adjacent
bowel
• Bowels do not float
centrally
• Omental caking is
present
Pickhardt et.al. RadioGraphics 2003
Luise Pernar, HMS IV
Gillian Lieberman, MD
28
Pseudomyxoma Peritonei on CT –
Companion Case 12
CT scan showing:
• Scalopping of solid
organs by mucinous
implants
• Septal calcifications in
mucinous fluid
(Arrowheads)
Pickhardt et.al. RadioGraphics 2003
Luise Pernar, HMS IV
Gillian Lieberman, MD
29
• US – Thick gelatinous fluid; usually not
mobile with maneuvers; fluid septations
may be seen
• CT – Increased abdominal girth; diffuse
intraperitoneal locules; mass-effect and
distortion of bowel; scalloping of surfaces
of solid organs
Imaging of Pseudomyxoma Peritonei –
Summary of Findings
Pickhardt et.al. RadioGraphics 2003; Khan et.al. Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol 2002; Dachman et.al. AJR 1985
Luise Pernar, HMS IV
Gillian Lieberman, MD
30
Treatment
Dhage-Ivatury and Sugarbaker J Am Coll Surg 2006; Witkamp et.al. Br J Surg 2001
Mucocele Diagnosed
Pre-operatively?
Perform laparotomy
•To prevent mucocele rupture
•To allow thorough examination of
peritoneal cavity for mucinous fluid
If employing laparoscopic approach, convert to
laparotomy
• Appendectomy typically sufficient
• Proceed to right hemicolectomy if
•Appendiceal or ileocecal lymph nodes
are positive
•Resection margin is positive
• If no fluid is present workup is complete
• If fluid is present
• Harvest all mucinous fluid
• Submit to pathology for examination
for epithelial cells
If epithelial cells are present
• Diagnose pseudomyxoma peritonei
• Refer patient for
•debulking surgery (complete resection of gelatinous masses, greater
omentum, major viscera, as appropriate)
•Intraperitoneal chemotherapy (mitomycin C +/- 5-fluorouracil)
Yes No
Luise Pernar, HMS IV
Gillian Lieberman, MD
31
Outcomes
• 91-100% survival after resection of mucocele
due to mucosal hyperplasia, mucinous
cystadenoma, and mucinous
cystadenocarcinoma if not complicated by
pseudomyxoma peritonei
• 25-33% survival in presence of pseudomyxoma
peritonei
• Debulking surgery with intraperitoneal
chemotherapy yields 3 year survival between
61-86% with an associated 35% risk of morbidity
including bowel perforation, fistula formation and
anastomotic leak
Dhage-Ivatury and Sugarbaker J Am Coll Surg 2006; Witkamp et.al. Br J Surg 2001; Sugarbaker and Jablonski Ann
Surg 1995; Landen et.al. Surg Gynecol Obstet 1992; Higa et.al. Cancer 1973
Luise Pernar, HMS IV
Gillian Lieberman, MD
32
Summary
• Appendiceal mucoceles are rare and are often
found incidentally; incorrect intraoperative
handling may lead to major complications
• Suggestive and characteristic imaging findings
can help establish the pre-operative diagnosis of
mucoceles highlighting the role radiologists play
in pre-operative planning and in ensuring good
patient outcomes
Luise Pernar, HMS IV
Gillian Lieberman, MD
33
Bibliography
• Blair NP; Bugis SP; Turner LJ; MacLeod MM. Review of the pathologic diagnoses of 2,216 appendectomy
specimens. Am J Surg (1993) 165: 618-620.
• Caspi B; Cassif E; Auslender R; Herman A; Hagay Z; Appelman Z. The onion skin sign; a specific sonographic
marker of appendiceal mucocele. J Ultrasound Med (2003) 23: 117-121.
• Dachman AH; Lichtenstein JE; Friedman AC. Mucocele of the appenidx and pseudomyxoma peritonei. AJR
(1985) 144: 923-929.
• Dhage-Ivatury S; Sugarbaker PH. Update on the surgical approach to mucocele of the appendix. J AM Coll Surg
(2006) 202: 680-684.
• Higa E; Rosai J; Pizzimbono CA; Wise L. Mucosal hyperplasia, mucinous cystadenoma, and mucinous
cystadenocarcinoma of the appendix; a re-evaluation of the appendiceal mucocele. Cancer (1973) 32: 1525-1541.
• Hinson FL; Ambrose NS. Pseudomyxoma peritonei. Br J Surg (1998) 85: 1332-1339.
• Horgan JG; Chow PP; Richter JO; Rosenfield AT; Taylor KJW. CT and sonography in the recognition of mucocele
of the appendix. AJR (1984) 143: 959-962.
• Khan S; Patel AG; Jurkovic D. Incidental ultrasound diagnosis of pseudomyxoma peritonei in an asymptomatic
woman. Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol (2002) 19: 410-412.
• Landen S; Bertrand C; Maddern GJ; Herman D; Pourbaix A; deNeve A; Schmitz A. Appendiceal mucolceles and
pseudomyxoma peritonei. Surg Gynecol Obstet (1992) 175: 401-404.
• Lo NS; Sarr MG. Mucinous cystadenocarcinoma of the appendix; the controversy persists: a review.
Hepatogastroenterology (2003) 50: 432-437.
• Pickhardt PJ; Levy AD; Rohrmann CA; Kende AI. Primary neoplasms of the appendix: radiologic spectrum of
disease with pathologic correlation. RadioGraphics (2003) 23: 645-662.
• Prayson RA; Hart WR; Petras RE. Pseudomyxoma peritonei; a clinicopathologic stduy of 19 cases with emphasis
on site of origin and nature of associated ovarian tumors. Am J Surg Pathol (1994) 18: 591-603.
• Sasaki K; Komatsuda T; Suzuki T; Konno K; Ohtaka M; Sato M; Ishida J; Sakai T; Watanabe S. Appendiceal
mucocele: sonographic findings. Abdom Imaging (2003) 28: 15-18.
• Stocchi L; Wolff BR; Larson DR; Harrington JR. Surgical treatment of appendiceal mucocele. Arch Surg (2003)
138: 585-590.
• Sugarbaker PH; Jablonski KA. Prognostic features of 51 colorectal and 130 appendiceal cancer patients with
peritoneal carcinomatosis treated by cytoreductive surgery and intraperitoneal chemotherapy. Ann Surg (1995)
221: 124-132.
• Witkamp AJ; de Bree E; Kaar MM; van Slooten GW; van Doevorden F; Zoetmulder FAN. Extensive surgical
cytoreduction and intraoperative hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherpay in patients with pseudomyxoma
peritonei. Br J Surg (2001) 88: 458-463.
• Zanati SA; Martin JA; Baker JP; Streutker CJ; Marcon NE. Colonoscopic diagnosis of the mucocele of the
appendix. Gastrointest Endosc (2005) 62: 452-456.
Luise Pernar, HMS IV
Gillian Lieberman, MD
34
Acknowledgement
Thank you:
• Karen Lee, MD – for giving me great
cases
• Gillian Lieberman, MD – for directing and
teaching a rotation I wish I had taken
earlier
• Pamela Lebkowski – for outstanding
support and organization
• Larry Barbaras
Appendiceal Mucoceles
Patient 1: JH
Patient 1: JH - CT
Patient 1: JH - CT
Patient 2: LC
Patient 2: LC - CT
Patient 2: LC - CT
Appendiceal Mucocele - Definition
Appendiceal Mucocele - Definition
Incidence and Diagnosis
Differential Diagnosis
Imaging of Mucoceles
Mucocele on US – Companion Patient 1
Mucocele on US – Companion Patient 2
Mucocele on US – Companion Patient 3
Mucocele on X-ray – Companion Patient 4
Mucocele on X-ray – Companion Patient 5
Mucocele on Barium Enema – Companion Patient 6
Mucocele on Barium Enema – Companion Patient 7
Mucocele on Colonoscopy – Companion Patient 6
Mucocele on Colonoscopy – Companion Patient 8
Mucocele on CT – Companion Patient 6
Mucocele on CT – Companion Patient 9
Imaging of Mucoceles – �Summary of Findings
Why Pre-op Diagnosis?
Pseudomyxoma Peritonei on US – Companion Patient 10
Pseudomyxoma Peritonei on CT – Companion Patient 11
Pseudomyxoma Peritonei on CT – Companion Case 12
Imaging of Pseudomyxoma Peritonei – �Summary of Findings
Treatment
Outcomes
Summary
Bibliography
Acknowledgement