Appendix cancer echocardiography and ultrasound

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Soroush Seifirad, M.D.[2]

Ultrasound may be helpful in the diagnosis of appendix tumors, appendix mucocele, and appendicitis as the most prevalent complication of appendiceal cancers. There are no echocardiography findings associated with appendix cancer. However, an echocardiography may be helpful in the diagnosis of complications of carcinoid tumor. If a patient develop carcinoid syndrome, transthoracic echocardiography is the method of choice in the diagnosis and follow-up of carcinoid heart disease.

• There are no specific ultrasound findings associated with appendix cancer.
• Ultrasound may be helpful in the diagnosis of appendix mucucele, and acute appendicitis as the most prevalent complication of appendiceal cancers.
• The following might be presented in ultrasonographic study of the patients with appendiceal cancer:^[1][2][3]
  • Dilated appendix
  • Peri-appendiceal fluid collection
  • Distinct appendix wall layers

• There are no echocardiography findings associated with appendix cancer.
• However, an echocardiography may be helpful in the diagnosis of complications of carcinoid tumor.
• If a patient develop carcinoid syndrome, transthoracic echocardiography is the method of choice in the diagnosis and follow-up of carcinoid heart disease.^[4]
• Findings on an echocardiography suggestive of carcinoid heart disease include:
  • Tricuspid regurgitation
  • Thickening and retraction of immobile tricuspid valve leaflets
  • Immobility of the pulmonary valve cusps
  • Right atrium as well as right ventricle enlargement

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