Skip to main content
Log in

MR imaging of the peritoneal spread of malignancy

  • Published:
Abdominal Imaging Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

MR imaging provides a highly sensitive and accurate means to depict tumor involving the peritoneum and bowel serosa. The ability of MR imaging to depict subtle peritoneal metastases plays a critical role in diagnosing and monitoring the oncologic patient with known or suspected peritoneal spread of malignancy. In this review I will describe the mechanisms of peritoneal tumor spread, and MR techniques and protocols for peritoneal imaging. A detailed description of the MR appearance of peritoneal tumor at different anatomic sites will be provided followed by a discussion of clinical applications for MR imaging of peritoneal malignancy.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Fig. 1.
Fig. 2.
Fig. 3.
Fig. 4.
Fig. 5.
Fig. 6.
Fig. 7.
Fig. 8.
Fig. 9.
Fig. 10.
Fig. 11.
Fig. 12.
Fig. 13.
Fig. 14.
Fig. 15.
Fig. 16.
Fig. 17.
Fig. 18.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Hamrick-Turner JE, Chiechi MV, Abbitt PL, et al. (1992) Neoplastic and inflammatory processes of the peritoneum, omentum, and mesentery: diagnosis with CT. Radiographics 12:1051–1068

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  2. Meyers MR (2000) Dynamic radiology of the abdomen. Normal and pathologic anatomy, 5th edn. Springer, New York

    Google Scholar 

  3. Meyers MA, Oliphant, Berne AS, et al. (1987) The peritoneal ligaments and mesenteries: pathways of intra abdominal spread of disease. Radiology 163:593–604

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. Arenas AP, Sanchez LV, Albilklos JM, et al. (1994) Direct dissemination of pathologic abdominal processes through perihepatic ligaments: identification with CT. Radiographics 14:515–528

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. Mori H, Aikawa H, Hirao K, et al. (1989) Exophytic spread of hepatobiliary disease via perihepatic ligaments: demonstration with CT and US. Radiology 172:41–46

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. Coakley FV, Choi PH, Gougoutas CA, et al. (2002) Peritoneal metastases: detection with spiral CT in patients with ovarian cancer. Radiology 223:495–499

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  7. Coakley FV, Hricak H (1999) Imaging of peritoneal and mesenteric disease: key concepts for the clinical radiologist. Clin Radiol 54(9):563–574

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. Low RN, Sigeti JS (1994) MR imaging of peritoneal disease: comparison of contrast-enhanced fast multiplanar spoiled gradient-recalled and spin-echo imaging. AJR Am J Roentgenol 163:1131–1140

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  9. Low RN, Barone RM, Lacey C, et al. (1997) Peritoneal tumor: MR imaging with dilute oral barium and intravenous gadolinium-containing contrast agents compared with unenhanced MR imaging and CT. Radiology 204(2):513–520

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  10. Low RN (2001) Gadolinium-enhanced MR imaging of liver capsule and peritoneum. Magn Reson Imaging Clin N Am 9:803–819

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. Accessed 8/27/05. http://www.cancer.org/docroot/CRI/content/CRI_2_4_1X_What_are_the_key_statistics_for_ovarian_cancer_33.asp?sitearea=&level=

  12. Yancik R (1993) Ovarian cancer: age contrasts in incidence, histology, disease stage at diagnosis, and mortality. Cancer 71(suppl 2):517–523

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  13. NIH consensus conference (1995) Ovarian cancer. Screening, treatment, and follow-up. NIH Consensus Development Panel on Ovarian Cancer. JAMA 273:491–497

    Article  Google Scholar 

  14. Low RN, Carter WD, Saleh F, et al. (1995) Ovarian cancer: comparison of findings with perfluorocarbon-enhanced MR imaging, In-111-CYT-103 immunoscintigraphy, and CT. Radiology 195(2):391–400

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  15. Low RN, Saleh F, Song SY, et al. (1999) Treated ovarian cancer: comparison of MR imaging with serum CA-125 level and physical examination—a longitudinal study. Radiology 211(2):519–528

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  16. Low RN, Duggan B, Barone RM, et al. (2005) Treated ovarian cancer: MR imaging, laparotomy reassessment, and serum CA-125 values compared with clinical outcome at 1 year. Radiology. 235:918–926

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  17. Ricke J, Sehouli J, Hach C, et al. (2003) Prospective evaluation of contrast-enhanced MRI in the depiction of peritoneal spread in primary or recurrent ovarian cancer. Eur Radiol 13:943–949

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  18. Nakajima T, Harashima S, Hirata M, et al. (1978) Prognostic and therapeutic values of peritoneal cytology in gastric cancer. Acta Cytol 22:225–229

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  19. Penna C, Malafosse R, Nordlinger B (2002) Colorectal cancer. A clinical guide to therapy. Bleiberg H, Kemeny N, Rougier P (eds) Adjuvant intraperitoneal chemotherapy, Chapter 16. Taylor & Francis, New York, pp 155

  20. Brown G, Richards CJ, Newcombe RG, et al. (1999) Rectal carcinoma: thin-section MR imaging for staging in 28 patients. Radiology 211:215–222

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  21. Beets-Tan RGH, Beets GL (2004) Rectal cancer: review with emphasis on MR imaging. Radiology 232:335–346

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  22. Fernandez-del Castillo CL, Warshaw AL (1998) Pancreatic cancer. Laparoscopic staging and peritoneal cytology. Surg Oncol Clin N Am 7(1):135–142

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  23. Warshaw AL (1991 Implications of peritoneal cytology for staging of early pancreatic cancer. Am J Surg 161(1):26–29; discussion 29–30

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  24. Morita H, Aoki J, Taketomi A, et al. (2004) Serous surface papillary carcinoma of the peritoneum: clinical, radiologic, and pathologic findings in 11 patients. AJR 183:923–928

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  25. Cerame MA (1988) A 25-year review of adenocarcinoma of the appendix: a frequely perforating carcinoma. Dis Colon Rectur 31:143–150

    Google Scholar 

  26. Ronnett RM, Zahn CM, Kurman RJ, et al. (1995) Disseminated peritoneal adenomucinosis and peritoneal mucinous carcinomatosis: a clinicopathologic analysis of 109 cases with emphasis on distinguishing features, site of origin, prognosis, and relationship to “Psedumyxoma Peritonei.” Am J Surg Pathol 19(12):1390–1408

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  27. Bechtold RE, Chen MYM, Loggie BW, et al. (2001) CT appearance of disseminated peritoneal adeonmucinosis. Abdom Imaging 26:406–410

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  28. Glehen O, Kwiatkowski F, Sugargaker PH, et al. (2004) Cytoreductive surgery combined with perioperative intraperitoneal chemotherapy for the management of peritoneal carcinomatosis from colorectal cancer: a multi-institutional study. J Clin Oncol 22:3284–3292

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  29. Jacquet P, Jelinek JS, Chang D, et al. (1995) Abdominal computed tomographic scan in the selection of patients with mucinous peritoneal carcinomatosis for cytoreductive surgery. J Am Coll Surg 181:530–538

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  30. Puvaneswary M, Chen S, Proietto T (2002) Peritoneal mesothelioma: CT and MRI findings. Aust Radiol 46:91–96

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Russell N. Low MD.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Low, R.N. MR imaging of the peritoneal spread of malignancy. Abdom Imaging 32, 267–283 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00261-007-9210-8

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00261-007-9210-8

Keywords

Navigation