Gray-scale sonographic findings in a patient with pseudomyxoma peritonei

Pseudomyxoma peritonei is a rare condition in which the abdominal cavity fi lls with thick mucoid material as a result of either a benign or malignant disease. We report the findings with gray-scale sonography and laparoscopy in a 74-year-old man with pseudomyxoma peritonei. After paracentesis and dr ainage of the ascites, sonography visualized hypoechoic nodules in the peri toneum at the surface of the liver and between bowel loops. Laparoscopy rev ealed mucoid material diffusely throughout the abdominal cavity. The diagno sis of pseudomyxoma peritonei was confirmed by cytologic examination of per itoneal fluid and histologic examination of laparoscopically obtained speci mens. (C) 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.