Crohn's Disease of the Appendix Presenting as Acute Appendicitis

Crohn's disease limited to the vermiform appendix is a rare entity. Three patients were thought to have an appendiceal abscess but actually had isolated Crohn's disease of the appendix. Most such patients are young adults with no previous gastrointestinal symptoms who present with acute onset of pain and a palpable right-lower-quadrant mass. Crohn's disease of the appendix should be considered in any patient with these symptoms, especially if there are unusual clinical or operative aspects to the course of the disease.