An Unusual Case of Endometriosis in Appendix: Case Report

Abstract

Introduction: Appendiceal endometriosis is a very rare cause of appendicitis in women and accounts for less than 1% of all pelvic endometriotic lesions. Appendiceal involvement may present as acute appendicitis and definite diagnosis is made by only postoperative histological examination. In this study, we present a case of female patient who was diagnosed as acute appendicitis for which appendicectomy was done followed by histopathological examination of retrieved specimen of our department which revealed the diagnosis of appendiceal endometriosis.
Discussion: Endometriosis is defined as the presence of ectopic endometrial tissue outside the lining of the uterine cavity. Gastrointestinal endometriosis is observed in 3–37% of all endometriosis cases, while appendiceal endometriosis accounts for only about 3% of gastrointestinal endometriosis. Appendiceal endometriosis is usually asymptomatic, although it may causes abdominal pain, nausea, chronic pelvic pain, lower gastrointestinal hemorrhage, intussusceptions, perforation, acute appendicitis and infertility.
Conclusion: Appendiceal endometriosis is a rare histopathological finding. A preoperative diagnosis is difficult, but this condition should be considered when women of reproductive age present with clinical symptoms of acute appendicitis.

Keywords: Appendicitis, endometriosis, women of reproductive age, unusual presentation

Cite this Article
Tonk et al. An Unusual Case of Endometriosis in Appendix: Case Report. Research & Reviews: Journal of Oncology & Hematology. 2017; 6(3):