Abstract
Retroperitoneal abscess as an initial manifestation of carcinoma of the colon is unusual. Inappropriate management of an unrecognized lesion is invariably fatal. Awareness of this uncommon presentation can lead to a precise preoperative diagnosis and appropriate therapy. The possibility of a perforated colon carcinoma should be considered in instances of unexplained retroperitoneal mass and infection, and a barium enema performed on all such patients. The authors report 3 cases and illustrate the radiological features of retroperitoneal abscesses due to perforated colon carcinoma.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Muir EG: The diagnosis of carcinoma of the colon and rectum.Br J Surg 44:1–7, 1956
Gerzof SG, Gale ME: Computed tomography and ultrasonography for diagnosis and treatment of renal and retroperitoneal abscesses.Urol Clin North Am 9:185–193, 1982
Colley DP, Farrell JA, Clark RA: Perforated colon carcinoma presenting as a suprarenal mass.Comput Tomogr 5:55–58, 1981
Gerzof SG, Robbins AH, Birkett DH: Computed tomography in the diagnosis and management of abdominal abscesses.Gastrointest Radiol 3:387, 1978
Feldman MA, Cotton RE, Gray WM: Carcinoma of the colon presenting as left perinephric abscess.Br J Surg 55:1–21, 1968
Fischelowitch J, Yadov S, Lazebnick J: Perinephric abscess as a presenting sign of carcinoma of the colon.Am J Proctol 22:111–114, 1971
Meiraz D, Schuzman E, Frisher Z, Servadio C, Ben-Bassat M: Carcinoma of the descending colon causing perinephric abscess.Am J Proctol Gastroenterol Colon Rectal Surg 31:25–26, 1980
Desai DG, Rodko EA: Perforation of the colon in malignant tumors.J Can Assoc Radiol 24:344–349, 1973
Kelley WE, Brown PW, Lawrence W, Terz JJ: Penetrating, obstructing and perforating carcinomas of the colon and rectum.Arch Surg 176:381–384, 1981
Cooke RV: Advanced carcinoma of the colon with emphasis on the inflammatory factor.Ann R Coll Surg Engl 18:46–61, 1956
Shucksmith HS: Subcutaneous abscess as the first evidence of carcinoma of the colon.Br J Surg 50:514–515, 1963
Meyer HI: The reaction of the retroperitoneal tissues to infection.Am Surg 99:246–250, 1934
Altermeier WA, Alexander JA: Retroperitoneal abscess.Arch Surg 83:512–524, 1961
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Maglinte, D.D.T., Pollack, H.M. Retroperitoneal abscess: A presentation of colon carcinoma. Gastrointest Radiol 8, 177–181 (1983). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01948116
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01948116