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[Insidious growth of peritoneal cysts several years after pelvic surgery. Ultrasonographic and x-ray computed
1Service de Radiologie, Hôpital de Jolimont, Haine-Saint-Paul, Belgique.
Introduction:
The aim of the present study is to call the radiologist's attention to peritoneal cysts (PC) when making the diagnosis of cystic masses in patients with a history of long-standing abdominal surgery.
Material And Methods:
Four cases of histologically proven peritoneal cysts, discovered 2 to 21 years after abdominal surgery were studied with ultrasonography (US) and computed tomography (CT). The symptoms leading to the diagnosis of PC included abdominal pain, discomfort and palpable mass.
Results:
On US and CT, the lesion of inflammatory origin appeared as a flaccid, septated and thin-walled cystic mass often mistaken for an ovarian lesion. Positive diagnosis of PC can be achieved at pathology examination by the identification of a mesothelial layer on the inner surface of the cyst.
Conclusion:
CT or US images showing a flaccid multiseptated thin-walled cystic mass in a patient who has a history of previous abdominal surgery should draw the radiologist's attention to the diagnosis of PC among other cystic tumors.