Gastrointestinal stromal tumor of the vermiform appendix mimicking Meckel’s diverticulum: Case report with literature review

INTRODUCTION: Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) of the appendix are extremely rare. To date, only 15 cases have been reported in the English literature. Here, we present a new case of an appendiceal GIST with appendicitis. PRESENTATION OF CASE: A 68-year-old man who complained of right lower abdominal tenderness underwent surgery for a cystic mass mimicking Meckel’s diverticulum. Laparoscopy revealed a mass protruding from the proximal appendix with distal appendicitis. Complete resection with adequate margins was performed. Histology showed a spindle cell GIST without mitotic activity as well as a strong expression of CD117 and CD34. CONCLUSION: Primary appendiceal GIST occur at a very low rate and their symptoms are nonspecific. Accordingly, rare tumors of appendix including GISTs should be considered in the differential diagnosis of atypical symptoms or image findings.