IMAGING FEATURES OF PERITONEAL MESOTHELIO MA

Peritoneal mesothelioma is a rare, either benign or malignant tumor of the peritoneum. We retrospectively analyzed the imaging features of s ix malignant and three benign peritoneal mesothelioma. Asbestos exposu re was proven in three of the six malignant cases and in none of the t hree benign cases. Ascites was found in seven patients (78%), peritone al masses in eight patients (88%), small peritoneal nodules in six pat ients (66%), parietal peritoneal thickening in six patients (66%), thi ckened mesentery in five patients (55%) and pleural plaques as well as nodules in one patient. These imaging features support the diagnosis of peritoneal mesothelioma but do not allow differentiation between be nign and malignant forms of peritoneal mesothelioma.