A CASE OF ENDOMETRIOSIS OF THE APPENDIX

A 34-year-old female was seen at the hospital because of a 2-year lasting chronic abdominal pain in the right iliac fossa. Blood studies showed no evidence of inflammation. Preoperative examination did not disclose other disease in the pelvic cavity. Laparoscopic appendectomy was performed with a preoperative diagnosis of appendicitis. Laparoscopic exploration of the pelvic cavity revealed the firm, white colored appendix and no evidence of endometriosis in other site. Histologically, endometriotic tussue was found in the tip of the resected appendix, forming a mass of approximately 5mm in diameter. Endometriosis of the appendix is extremely rare and the most common symptom is chronic abdominal pain mostly without evidence of inflammation. Although preoperative diagnosis of appendiceal endometriosis is said to be difficult, it should be treated properly by surgery since the growth of the lesion can give rise to perforation. In this case, laparoscopic approach was thought to be extremely useful for diagnosis and treatment.