Detection of neoplastic involvement of the mesentery and omentum by computed tomography

A total of 39 patients undergoing abdominal computed tomography and subsequent surgical biopsy of the mesentery or omentum were studied to evaluate the sensitivity of CT in detecting metastases to those areas. Twelve patients had negative biopsies; there were no false positive CT interpretations in that group. Of the 27 patients with positive biopsies, 18 showed positive findings on CT scan. Those patterns of involvement are described and illustrated. The nine false negative cases related to very small metastatic foci, contiguity with the primary tumor, or paucity of intraabdominal fat.