Ultrasonography and computed tomography of peritoneal mesothelioma.

Abstract

Eleven patients with malignant peritoneal mesothelioma were examined with ultrasonography. Four were also examined with computed tomography (CT). A sheetlike mass was seen in 7 patients and a localized irregular mass in 4. No nodular or globular masses were seen. Ascites was present in all but 1 patient. An omental mass in addition to a peritoneal mass was found in 2. Extremely rapid progression of mesothelioma occurred in 1 patient, and disappearance of mesothelioma and ascites occurred in another. Ultrasonography was, in general, superior to CT in demonstrating peritoneal masses, especially in the presence of ascites.