Introduction
The appendix is considered an appendage of little value and is often treated disdainfully, be it as part of evolutionary process, on a grossing table, under a microscope or while archiving specimens and slides. It is only recently, with data indicating its importance in gut immunity and as the origin of pseudomyxoma, that its space in a human body appears vindicated.
Aim
Our aim was to screen the histopathologic spectrum of appendix lesions observed in our hospital for rare, incidental or clinico-radiologically uncertain lesions that would help emphasize a necessary seriousness in its sampling.
Method
All appendectomy specimens over ten years were screened for diagnosis other than acute/chronic/resolving appendicitis and pseudomyxoma peritonei. Among the recorded rare diagnoses, one representative case each, based on interesting history or pathology, was selected for discussion.
Observation
Forty-three lesions were found to meet inclusion criteria comprising 12 varied etiologies. Among these, 25 had a normal-appearing appendix and 27 were not suspected on radiology or on clinical/surgical assessment. Histopathology comprised, among others, neoplastic entities such as (Diffuse large B-cell) lymphoma, metastasis, carcinoid as well as interesting non-neoplastic diagnoses such as pinworm infestation (in the elderly) and (post-menopausal) endometriosis.
Conclusion
Sampling and histopathologic assessment of the appendix should be compulsory, careful and representative. Each specimen must be treated as harboring a potential pathology, until microscopically proven otherwise because missed “rare” diagnoses could delay therapy or alter key management decisions as cancer staging.
