Mucocele of the Appendix with Pseudomyxoma Peritonei

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Abstract
Mucocele of the appendix results from obstruction of the appendiceal lumen and is cured by appendectomy. This process is cured by appendectomy even after appendicitis with perforation. A mucin-filled cyst adjacent to the cecum following perforation of a mucocele is cured by removal of appendix, the cyst and its contents. The term pseudomyxoma peritonei implies that not only is mucinous material free in the peritoneal cavity, but also that epithelial cells are in the material. The process may or may not proceed to multiple cyst formation and intestinal obstruction. Cytologic or other criteria by which this can be predicted have not yet been found. Irradiation and chemotherapy have been of little value in this series. Use of mechlorethamine in pseudomyxoma peritonei should be evaluated in view of the question of malignancy of this process.