Primary peritoneal carcinoma: computed tomography and magnetic resonance findings.

Objective: To present computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings of primary peritoneal carcinoma (PPC) at initial presentation (IP) and recurrent disease (RD).

Methods: We studied 15 consecutive female patients (age range, 47-83 years; mean, 66.2 years) with pathologically proven PPC who underwent CT and/or MRI between July 2000 and December 2005. Preoperative radiological evaluation and postoperative follow-up was done with CT and/or magnetic resonance studies. All CT and MRI studies were evaluated retrospectively, independently, and blindly by 2 radiologists for the imaging findings of PPC.

Results: The imaging findings were as follows: ascites, 2 of 2 at IP, 9 of 10 at RD; peritoneal thickening and enhancement, 1 of 2 at IP, 9 of 10 at RD; peritoneal nodules or bulky mass lesions, 1 of 2 at IP, 8 of 10 at RD; lymph node involvement, 1 of 2 at IP, 3 of 10 at RD; and distant metastases, 1 of 10 at RD.

Conclusion: Ascites, peritoneal thickening and enhancement, and peritoneal nodules or bulky mass lesions were the most frequent findings of PPC. Recurrent disease revealed similar findings compared with the IP.