Abstract

An inverted appendix is a rare condition that develops in conjunction with pathologic or anatomic conditions, such as polyps, worms, carcinomas, mucoceles, fecaliths, or post-appendectomy. There are few reports of congenital inverted appendices. The clinical symptoms can range from no symptoms to acute or chronic lower abdominal pain, as in appendicitis. An inverted appendix can be diagnosed by barium enema, colonoscopy, ultrasound, and CT scan, but few cases are reported pre-operatively. Indeed, most cases are diagnosed intra-operatively. Because an inverted appendix is often misdiagnosed as a polyp during colonoscopy, it is important to differentiate an inverted appendix from a polyp or tumor for therapeutic planning. We report herein a 76-year-old woman who had no clinical symptoms of a congenital inverted appendix which had been observed without any treatment or symptoms over a 7 year period. (Intest Res 2009;7:114-117)

• Keywords: Intussusception; Appendix; Congenital; Colonoscopy