Related Experiment Videos
Abdominal plexiform neurofibromatosis simulating pseudomyxoma peritonei on computed tomography.
D R Mirich1, R R Gray, H Grosman
1Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Wellesley Hospital, University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Journal of Computer Assisted Tomography
|July 1, 1989
Summary
An unusual case of abdominal plexiform neurofibromatosis mimicked pseudomyxoma peritonei on CT scans. Biopsy confirmed neurofibromatosis, highlighting imaging challenges in abdominal mass diagnosis.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Oncology
- Radiology
Background:
- Plexiform neurofibromatosis is a benign neoplastic proliferation of peripheral nerves.
- Pseudomyxoma peritonei is a rare condition characterized by mucinous ascites.
Observation:
- A patient presented with extensive abdominal plexiform neurofibromatosis.
- CT imaging revealed multiple low-density subdiaphragmatic masses causing scalloped liver margins and mantle thickening.
- These findings displaced bowel loops centrally, mimicking pseudomyxoma peritonei.
Findings:
- Open biopsy definitively diagnosed plexiform neurofibromatosis.
- This case underscores the potential for neurofibromatosis to present with imaging characteristics overlapping with other intra-abdominal pathologies.
Implications:
- Accurate diagnosis of abdominal masses requires integrating imaging findings with histopathological confirmation.
- This case highlights the importance of considering rare diagnoses like plexiform neurofibromatosis in the differential diagnosis of complex abdominal presentations.