Lymphoma of the appendix with clinical presentation of acute appendicitis. A case report

Abstract

Background: Appendiceal neoplasms are present in less than 1% of appendectomies. Primary lymphomas of the appendix are rare occurring in 0.015% of all gastrointestinal lymphomas. The average age at diagnosis is 55 years. In the appendix linfomas are found in the second and third decade of life. It is more common in men. The most common manifestation is acute appendicitis secondary to luminal obstruction. Case review: This is the first case reported in the Honduras literature. This is a 67 year old patient who was admitted to Hospital Escuela Universitario in Tegucigalpa, Honduras, with abdominal pain of two weeks of evolution and sepsis secondary to generalized peritonitis due to complicated acute appendicitis. During surgery are identified findings consistent with mucocele but biopsy diagnosed diffuse large cell lymphoma. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed positivity for CD20. The patient’s postoperative course was torpid due to multiorgan failure and family demanded discharge from hospital to take her to their place of origin. Conclusion: Although appendiceal neoplasms are rare, it is always necessary to consider the diagnosis when performing an appendectomy, since this changes the prognosis and treatment.