Original Article
Retroperitoneal mucinous cystadenoma

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Abstract

A case of retroperitoneal mucinous cystadenoma histologically confirmed in a 21-year-old woman is reported. Although ultrasound, CT and MR detected the tumor, a preoperative diagnosis could not be established by imaging methods. The cystic tumor was removed and microscopic examination revealed a mucinous cystadenoma. Mullerian mesothelial metaplasia of peritoneal invagination into the retroperitoneal space is the most likely explanation for the histogenesis of these tumors.

Introduction

Retroperitoneal mucinous cystadenomas are very rare tumors with less than thirty cases reported in the literature 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9. Diagnosis is rarely possible preoperatively. We describe the imaging and pathological findings in a case of retroperitoneal mucinous cystadenoma and discuss the differential diagnosis and management of these tumors.

Section snippets

Case report

A 21-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital complaining of abdominal discomfort of 3 months duration. A painless mass was palpable in the right hypochondrium.

Ultrasound examination of the abdomen revealed a cystic mass measuring 6×10 cm and containing a small number of septa. It was located anterior to the right kidney. The ovaries were normal.

Abdominal CT (Fig. 1) and MR (Fig. 2) confirmed the presence of the cystic mass of water consistency. Its wall was enhanced after intravenous

Discussion

Cystic retroperitoneal tumors with Müllerian type epithelium may have benign 1, 3, 4, 7, 8, 9, borderline [9]or malignant histology 10, 11and have a striking resemblance to their ovarian counterparts. An origin from ectopic or supernumerary ovary has been suggested but it seems unlikely since in most of reported cases, including our own, no remnants of ovarian tissue are identified [4]. The most plausible explanation for the histogenesis of these tumors is an origin from the secondary Müllerian

Condensation

A 21-year-old woman presented with a mass in the right hemiabdomem. Abdominal ultrasound, CT and MR revealed a cystic mass located anterior to the right kidney. The mass was surgically removed and at histologic examination proved to be a mucinous cystadenoma.

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