The authors propose to discuss the clinical, imaging and pathologic features of primary appendiceal neoplasms.

Primary appendiceal neoplasms are rare. With exception of carcinoid tumors, most of them are seen in middle-aged or older patients. Although other clinical manifestations are known, approximately 30-50% of all appendiceal neoplasms will manifest as an acute appendicitis. Other signs and symptoms include a painful palpable mass, gastrointestinal bleeding, ureteral obstruction or hematuria, intussusceptionand increasing abdominal girth from rupture of a malignant mucocele, resulting in pseudomyxoma peritonei. Some of them are detected incidentally on imaging.Mucoceles that result from cystic mucinous neoplasms account for the majority...

This Educational Exhibit presents a clinical, pathologic and imaging approach to the primary neoplasms of appendix.

Cross-sectional imaging plays a central role on evaluation of these neoplasms, when integrated in an appropriate clinical context. Particularly computed tomography is important in detection or exclusion of appendiceal tumors and may indicate a more specific diagnosis.

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Elisa Melo Abreu ([email protected]) Interna Complementar de Radiologia Serviço de Radiologia do Instituto Português de Oncologia de Lisboa, Francisco Gentil, EPE Diretor do Serviço: Dr. José Venâncio