The appendix is a small tube of tissue attached to your large intestine. An appendiceal mucocele describes when there is a mucus collection inside the appendix. This is an uncommon finding, with an incidence of less than 1%. Appendiceal mucoceles can be asymptomatic (does not cause symptoms), but could cause right lower abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting and weight loss. In rare instances, the mucocele can have malignant (cancerous) features.
The common iliac arteries branch off from the end of the abdominal aorta (the main blood vessel that exits the heart, bringing oxygen-rich blood to the rest of the body). The common iliac arteries provide the primary blood supply to the lower limbs. Atherosclerosis is when plaque (cholesterol containing fatty deposits) builds up and hardens the blood vessels, and if it progresses, can block blood flow causing heart attack or stroke. Risk factors for atherosclerosis include high blood pressure, poor cholesterol, diabetes, and smoking.
Retroperitoneal refers to the anatomical space located behind the abdominal or peritoneal cavity and holds the organs that contribute to several systems in the body, including the urinary, adrenal, circulatory, gastrointestinal, and endocrine systems. Cysts (pockets of fluid) are benign (non-cancerous) findings that usually cause no signs or symptoms and need no treatment. However, they may become large enough to cause pain or discomfort in the abdomen or pelvic area.
A Bochdalek hernia results when there is failure of closure of the diaphragm (a thin skeletal muscle that sits at the base of the chest and separates the abdomen from the chest) during embryonic development. This can allow protrusion of abdominal content, usually fat but sometimes organs or the intestines, into the chest. Bochdalek hernias are found in approximately 6% of adults, with incidence increasing with age. This is usually asymptomatic (does not cause symptoms), but can sometimes cause gastrointestinal (e.g. constipation, abdominal pain) or pulmonary symptoms.
Mild stranding in the central mesentery (the tissue that holds the small intestines) is a nonspecific finding (meaning it is difficult to say what caused it), but can be associated with panniculitis (inflammatory disorders in which the primary site of involvement is the subcutaneous fat).Lymph nodes are small bean-shaped structures that are part of the body's immune system. Lymph nodes filter substances that travel through the lymphatic fluid, and they contain lymphocytes (white blood cells) that help the body fight infection and disease. There are hundreds of lymph nodes found throughout the body. The mesenteric lymph nodes drain lymphatic fluid from the intestines.The main symptom for panniculitis, if it is acute, is painful or tender bumps called nodules that form in the layer of fat under your skin. Systemic symptoms may also be present and can include fatigue, fever, a general sick feeling (malaise), joint and muscle pain, abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting, and/or weight loss.
Sometimes when fat cells are injured (e.g. car collision, surgery), the cells can liquify and the body forms scar tissue around it. This can show up as a lump, and sometimes can cause physical discomfort.
