Inverted appendix masquerading as a ‘virtual’ polyp

Published: 04/23/2012

Authors: Whitehouse PA, Potter KP and Stebbing JF

A 56-year-old woman presented for colonoscopy following a Lifescan which had identified two caecal polyps. At colonoscopy a long ‘finger-like’ structure, with normal overlying mucosa, was found within the caecum (Fig. a). A diagnosis of inverted appendix was made and the structure was not snared. Subsequent review of her CT revealed the corresponding polyp-like structure and the absence of an extra-luminal appendix (Fig. b). Complete inversion/intussusception of a normal appendix is rare, with an incidence of 0·01 per cent.