Successful surgical management of non-perforating acute appendicitis with septic disseminated intravascular coagulation: A case report and review of the literature.

INTRODUCTION: Perforating appendicitis and abscess-forming appendicitis may cause septic disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC). However, non-perforating acute appendicitis with septic DIC is extremely rare. PRESENTATION OF CASE: A 67-year-old man was referred to our hospital one day after starting oral antibiotic treatment for acute appendicitis. Physical examination revealed only slight spontaneous abdominal pain without tenderness and peritoneal irritation. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography demonstrated an enlarged appendix (10 mm in diameter) without fecalith, ascites, intraperitoneal free air, and abscess. There was no evidence of perforating appendicitis. Laboratory analysis revealed septic DIC. The patient was diagnosed with non-perforating acute appendicitis with septic DIC. The patient was distressed regarding whether he should be treated conservatively with an antibiotics-first strategy or undergo an appendectomy. Ultimately, a laparoscopic appendectomy was performed. Histopathological examination showed non-perforating gangrenous appendicitis. He required DIC therapy for 2 days postoperatively. He was discharged on postoperative day 9, and remained in good health 1 month after surgery. DISCUSSION: There is no absolute index of conversion to surgery with an antibiotics-first strategy of appendicitis treatment. Judging the limit of conservative treatment and determining the best moment to perform surgery is a critically important matter for patients with acute appendicitis. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of conservative treatment preceding an antibiotics-first strategy for acute appendicitis is increasing. However, it is thought that appendectomy should be performed when acute appendicitis is complicated with septic DIC, even if it is a non-perforating appendicitis in which improvement with conservative treatment is anticipated.

Appendiceal neurofibroma with low-grade appendiceal mucinous neoplasm in neurofibromatosis type 1 patient: A case report.

INTRODUCTION: Neurofibromas are a characteristic of the autosomal dominant disorder Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1), also known as von Recklinghausen's disease. Appendiceal neurofibromas are extremely rare, and low-grade appendiceal mucinous neoplasms (LAMNs) have not previously been reported in NF1. PRESENTATION OF CASE: A 62-year-old man with NF1 was scheduled for elective surgical treatment of an asymptomatic, enlarged and diffusely thickened appendix that remained after curative antimicrobial treatment of acute appendicitis. Laboratory analysis revealed all normal. Colonoscopy showed thickened appendiceal mucosa projecting into the cecum. A sample of the mucosa was found to be pathologically benign. The patient was preoperatively diagnosed with treated acute appendicitis with chronic appendiceal inflammation versus appendiceal neoplasms. Laparoscopic cecectomy was performed. Multiple neurofibromas were observed in the muscle layer, submucosa, and mucosa of the appendix on histopathological examination. Immunohistochemical examination showed positive staining for S-100. Pathologically, the patient was diagnosed with appendiceal neurofibroma consistent with NF1 with LAMNs. His postoperative course was unremarkable. He was discharged on post-operative day 3 and remained in good health 7 month after surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Appendiceal neurofibromas are often preoperatively diagnosed as appendicitis. Appendiceal neurofibromas should be considered in patients with NF1 who are suspected of having appendicitis.

Intestinal obstruction caused by low-grade appendiceal mucinous neoplasm: A case report and review of the literature.

INTRODUCTION: Intestinal obstructions due to appendiceal pathology are rare. Obstructions caused by low-grade appendiceal mucinous neoplasms (LAMNs) are rarer still. PRESENTATION OF CASE: A 79-year-old woman was referred to our hospital for mechanical small intestinal obstruction. The patient had undergone prior left oophorectomy via a lower abdominal incision. Physical examination revealed abdominal distension and slight tenderness. Laboratory analysis was unremarkable. Contrast enhanced computed tomography (CT) demonstrated dilation of an obstructed small intestinal loop without evidence of strangulation. There appeared to be a low density mass measuring 3.0 × 1.5 cm with a potential twist in the mesentery near the transition point in the small intestine. The patient was diagnosed with mechanical small intestinal obstruction and was treated conservatively with nasogastric tube decompression for one week. After no clinical improvement, we elected to surgically explore her. Intraoperative findings revealed that the ileum was compressed by the appendix, which had a cystic mass on its tip. There was no evidence of intestinal ischemia. Laparotomy appendectomy alone was performed. Pathology revealed a LAMN measuring 3.0 × 1.5 cm. She remains disease-free with 18 months of postoperative follow-up. DISCUSSION: Intestinal obstruction due to external compression by an appendiceal mass is rare, and is often difficult to preoperatively diagnose with CT. CONCLUSIONS: The etiology of small intestinal obstruction with a transition point in the right lower quadrant of abdomen includes an appendiceal mass on the broad differential for this common problem.