HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Figures Only Full Text Full Text (PDF) Submit a response Alert me when this article is cited Alert me when eLetters are posted Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Yang, D. M. Articles by Hwang, H. Y. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Yang, D. M. Articles by Hwang, H. Y. Related Collections Computed Tomography Gastrointestinal Radiology Genitourinary Radiology

Retroperitoneal Cystic Masses: CT, Clinical, and Pathologic Findings and Literature Review¹

¹ From the Departments of Radiology (D.M.Y., H.K., J.H. Kang, S.H.K., J.H. Kim, H.Y.H.) and Pathology (D.H.J.), Gachon Medical School Gil Medical Center, 1198 Guwol-Dong, Namdong-Gu, Incheon 405-760, South Korea. Recipient of a Cum Laude award for an education exhibit at the 2003 RSNA scientific assembly. Received February 11, 2004; revision requested March 11 and received April 8; accepted April 12. All authors have no financial relationships to disclose. Address correspondence to D.M.Y. (e-mail: dmyang@ghil.com).

Cystic lesions of the retroperitoneum can be classified as either neoplastic or nonneoplastic. Neoplastic lesions include cystic lymphangioma, mucinous cystadenoma, cystic teratoma, cystic mesothelioma, müllerian cyst, epidermoid cyst, tailgut cyst, bronchogenic cyst, cystic change in solid neoplasms, pseudomyxoma retroperitonei, and perianal mucinous carcinoma. Nonneoplastic lesions include pancreatic pseudocyst, nonpancreatic pseudocyst, lymphocele, urinoma, and hematoma. Because the clinical implications of and therapeutic strategies for retroperitoneal cystic masses vary depending on the cause, the ability to noninvasively differentiate between masses is important. Although there is substantial overlap of computed tomographic (CT) findings in various retroperitoneal cysts, some CT features, along with clinical characteristics, may suggest a specific diagnosis. CT may provide important information regarding lesion location, size, and shape; the presence and thickness of a wall; the presence of septa, calcifications, or fat; and involvement of adjacent structures. The most important clinical parameters include patient gender, age, symptoms, and clinical history. Familiarity with the CT and clinical features of various retroperitoneal cystic masses facilitates accurate diagnosis and treatment.

© RSNA, 2004

Index Terms: Abdomen, CT, 87.1211 • Abdomen, cysts, 87.31 • Abdomen, neoplasms, 87.30 • Retroperitoneal space, CT, 87.1211 • Retroperitoneal space, diseases, 87.20, 87.30 • Retroperitoneal space, fluid • Retroperitoneal space, neoplasms, 87.30

This article has been cited by other articles:

				Image of the Month Diagnosis Arch Surg, November 1, 2007; 142(11): 1106 - 1106. [Full Text] [PDF]

				M. Kocaoglu and D. P. Frush Pediatric presacral masses. RadioGraphics, May 1, 2006; 26(3): 833 - 857. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				D. M. Sherer, H. Zinn, T. Gavrilescu, E. Abdelmalek, M. Hellmann, M. Sokolovski, and O. Abulafia Transvaginal Sonographic Diagnosis of a Large Retroperitoneal Pelvic Epidermoid Cyst (Monodermal Teratoma) J. Ultrasound Med., February 1, 2006; 25(2): 265 - 268. [Full Text] [PDF]