One of the complications of ovarian mucinous cystadenomas is the development of pseudomyxoma peritonei. This gelatinous accumulation may also be found associated with an appendiceal mucocele. Occasionally all three entities are present making the origin of the pseudomyxoma peritonei problematic. Histologically, the peritoneal implants of mucin secreting cells are a single layer of mature cells filled with mucus and basally arranged normal nuclei. This entity may occur despite the absence of obvious rupture.
Care is taken during surgery on mucinous cystadenomas to avoid spillage in the peritoneal cavity.