Korean J Radiol.  2011 Dec;12(6):750-753. 10.3348/kjr.2011.12.6.750.

Malignant Mesothelioma Presenting as a Giant Chest, Abdominal and Pelvic Wall Mass

• Shao ZH
• Gao XL
• Yi XH
• Wang PJ

• KMID: 1101931
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3348/kjr.2011.12.6.750

Abstract

Malignant mesothelioma (MM) is a relatively rare carcinoma of the mesothelial cells, and it is usually located in the pleural or peritoneal cavity. Here we report on a unique case of MM that developed in the chest, abdominal and pelvic walls in a 77-year-old female patient. CT and MRI revealed mesothelioma that manifested as a giant mass in the right flank and bilateral pelvic walls. The diagnosis was confirmed by the pathology and immunohistochemistry. Though rare, accurate investigation of the radiological features of a body wall MM may help make an exact diagnosis.

Keyword

Malignant mesothelioma; Pathology; Computed tomography (CT); Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)

MeSH Terms

Abdominal Neoplasms/diagnosis/*pathology
Abdominal Wall
Aged
Female
Humans
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Mesothelioma/diagnosis/*pathology
Muscle Neoplasms/diagnosis/pathology
Pelvic Neoplasms/diagnosis/*pathology
Thoracic Neoplasms/diagnosis/*pathology
Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Figure

• 

  Fig. 1 77-year-old female with malignant mesothelioma in chest, abdominal and pelvic walls. A-D. Contrast-enhanced CT scan shows giant irregular soft-tissue mass in right thoracoabdominal wall and bilateral pelvic walls, and this has extensively invaded body wall, and mass extends to inside of abdominal cavity with peritoneal thickening. E-G. Mass is iso-intense on T1-weighted images (E), heterogeneous iso- to hyper-intense on T2-weighted images (F) and heterogeneously enhanced with multiple patchy non-enhancing necrotic areas on post-contrast fat-suppressed T1-weighted image images (G). H. Papillary malignant tumor cells and proliferous spindle cells diffusely invade into striated muscle (Hematoxylin & Eosin staining, × 100). I, J. Tumor cells are positive for 34βE12 (I) and calretinin (J) (immunohistochemistry, × 200).

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