Crohn's disease confined to the appendix

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Abstract
Crohn''s disease confined to the appendix is a rare entity, < 50 cases having been reported. Another 12 cases representing 6% of all 194 patients operated upon for Crohn''s disease in a total, unselected series are presented. The indications for surgery were appendicitis in 8 patients, appendiceal abscess in 2, a suspected pyosalpinx in 1 and an ovarian cyst in 1. The appendices were in all cases strikingly enlarged. Giant-cell granulomas, without microabscesses, were detected in all but 1 patient. Two patients had early septic postoperative complications. [Some of the patients were thought to have a Yersinia pseudotobercolosis infection, although serologic confirmation was not obtained from every patients.] Fistulization from the cecum did not occur. The median observation time after operation was 13.89 yr. Since none of the patients had further manifestations of the disease, it is concluded that patients with Crohn''s disease confined to the appendix have a favorable prognosis.

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