Copyright: ©Author(s) 2026. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial (CC BY-NC 4.0) license. No commercial re-use. See permissions. Published by Baishideng Publishing Group Inc.
World J Gastroenterol. Oct 7, 2026; 32(37): 120384
Published online Oct 7, 2026. doi: 10.3748/wjg.120384
Published online Oct 7, 2026. doi: 10.3748/wjg.120384
Imaging of appendiceal mucinous epithelial neoplasms: A narrative review
Chiara Morelli, Ilaria Villanova, Giovanni Lorusso, Mariacristina Cozzi, Sara Greco, Nicola Maggialetti, Section of Radiology and Radiation Oncology, Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, Bari 70124, Puglia, Italy
Roberto Calbi, Department of Radiology, General Regional Hospital “F. Miulli”, Acquaviva delle Fonti 70021, Italy
Angela Calabrese, Radiology Unit, Cancer Institute “Giovanni Paolo II”, Bari 70124, Puglia, Italy
Co-first authors: Chiara Morelli and Ilaria Villanova.
Author contributions: Morelli C, Villanova I, Lorusso G, Cozzi M, Greco S, Calbi R, Maggialetti N, and Calabrese A contributed equally to the conception and design of the article, writing, and editing of the manuscript, and review of the literature; Morelli C and Villanova I contributed equally as co-first authors. All the authors approved the final version of the article to be published.
AI contribution statement: AI tools (specifically ChatGPT) were used only for language editing and proofreading prior to review by a native English speaker. No part of the data analysis was performed using artificial intelligence. The images included in the manuscript are derived from clinical cases reported by the last author and were not generated by AI.
Conflict-of-interest statement: All the authors report no relevant conflicts of interest for this article.
Corresponding author: Giovanni Lorusso, DM, Section of Radiology and Radiation Oncology, Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, Piazza Giulio Cesare, 11, Bari 70124, Puglia, Italy. lorussogiovannimd@gmail.com
Received: February 25, 2026
Revised: April 21, 2026
Accepted: July 13, 2026
Published online: October 7, 2026
Processing time: 188 Days and 13.7 Hours
Revised: April 21, 2026
Accepted: July 13, 2026
Published online: October 7, 2026
Processing time: 188 Days and 13.7 Hours
Core Tip
Core Tip: Appendiceal mucinous epithelial neoplasms are rare but clinically significant tumors with heterogeneous behavior and frequent nonspecific presentation, often leading to delayed diagnosis. Their major complication is pseudomyxoma peritonei, caused by mucin dissemination within the peritoneal cavity. Imaging plays a central role in detection, characterization, and staging: Computed tomography is the diagnostic cornerstone, while magnetic resonance imaging provides superior assessment of peritoneal disease. Recognizing key imaging features is essential for appropriate classification, prognostic stratification, and guiding multidisciplinary management.