SPONTANEOUSLY RUPTURED APPENDICEAL MUCOCELE DIAGNOSED ON CROSS-SECTIONAL IMAGING: A CASE REPORT

Appendiceal mucocele is a rare condition characterized by mucinous distension of the appendix. Spontaneous rupture is a serious complication that can lead to pseudomyxoma peritonei, a gelatinous disease of the peritoneum requiring aggressive management. We present the case of a 54-year-old man without prior surgical history who presented with acute right lower quadrant pain. Initial ultrasonography revealed localized fluid in the right iliac fossa. CT and MRI confirmed the diagnosis of spontaneously ruptured appendiceal mucocele. The patient underwent complete cytoreduction with appendicectomy and hyperthermic intra-peritoneal chemotherapy (CHIP). Histological findings were consistent with a low-grade mucinous neoplasm with pseudomyxoma peritonei. The patient had no postoperative complications. This case demonstrates that ultrasonography can detect early signs of rupture, while CT and MRI enable definitive diagnosis. Systematic evaluation for extraluminal mucin is essential when mucocele is suspected. CHIP represents an innovative therapeutic approach for pseudomyxoma peritonei.