An Intimate Relationship Lies Between the Appendix and the Colon: A Case Report of Colitis Cystica Profunda Post-Laparoscopic Appendectomy.

Abstract

Cystica profunda is a rare benign finding of mucous-filled cysts in the submucosa of the gastrointestinal tract, more commonly found in the rectum and colon. Risk factors include rectal prolapse, inflammatory bowel diseases, pelvic radiation and being post-appendectomy. We present a case of a female patient presenting with rectorrhagia, found to have sigmoidal colitis cystica profunda (CCP) six months post-appendectomy. This case is one of the few in medical literature to highlight the direct association between laparoscopic appendectomy and CCP, previously discussed in the literature as a complication post-appendectomy in the American Journal of Gastroenterology.

Learning points: Physicians should have a high index of suspicion to rule out colitis cystica profunda (CCP) when approaching a patient with rectorrhagia following laparoscopic appendectomy.It is pivotal to make a prompt diagnosis for CCP in the context of rectorrhagia and initiate timely management.It is important to differentiate CCP from other aetiologies of lower gastrointestinal tract bleed as it is coined 'the great imitator'.