Inflammatory pseudotumor secondary to urachal cyst: A challenging clinical case report

There is a wide differential diagnosis for intraabdominal tumors. Surgical resection and microscopic analysis of tissue structure can identify tumor origin in most cases. Most rapidly growing invasive tumors are neoplastic. Inflammatory pseudotumors are a subcategory of intraabdominal tumors that are non-neoplastic and can be rapidly growing. Urachal cysts originate from the dome of the bladder; however they are typically not invasive. There is limited literature on the appropriate management of these tumors.

A 37-year-old female presenting with symptoms of abdominal pain was found to have a large intraabdominal mass invading multiple organs. Core biopsies demonstrated inflammation. The mass grew significantly over the course of a year and patient's abdominal pain worsened. The patient was taken to the operating room for resection. Final pathology revealed reactive fibrous tissue with acute and chronic inflammation invading bladder, urethra, abdominal wall, appendix, and ovary. Intraoperative frozen section demonstrated low grade spindle cells with concern for inflammatory pseudotumor but final pathology demonstrated inflammation.

Although benign, these tumors cause significant morbidity due to their size and level of organ invasion. Management should involve surgical resection as well as potential post-operative chemotherapy or NSAIDs based off clinical picture. We demonstrate the importance of close follow up for residual disease or recurrence of patients with inflammatory pseudotumors of the abdomen.

This case highlights difficulties in diagnosis of a tumor that has potential to cause significant morbidity. There is need for further research to discover the best management after surgical resection of these tumors.