Acellular mucin in non-neoplastic inflammatory conditions of lower gastrointestinal tract.

Purpose: In the context of neoplasia, acellular mucin in lower gastrointestinal (GI) tract implies occult mucin-producing tumor and warrants additional workup. The clinical significance of acellular mucin in benign conditions remains unclear.

Methods: Lower GI tract surgical specimens with acellular mucin without documented neoplastic conditions (colonic diverticulitis (n = 16), appendicitis (n = 14), and others (n = 8)) were retrieved.