VILLOUS adenomas are well-recognized tumors of the colon not only because of their potentially malignant nature but also because they may cause a shock-like state resulting from excessive fluid and electrolyte loss.1 Villous tumors have been described as occurring in Meckel's diverticulum2 and in the vermiform appendix. In both locations they are rare. We recently encountered a case involving the appendix in a young man who had symptoms of acute appendicitis. The benign or malignant nature of the tumor was difficult to define because it had formed a mucocele and ruptured the wall.
Report of a Case
The patient, a 23-year-old white man, had a five-day history of abdominal discomfort and anorexia. He had been in good health prior to the present illness. The patient's sister had had a partial small-bowel resection because of regional ileitis, but there was no other family history of intestinal disorder.Examination revealed