Document Detail


Subcutaneous abdominal wall masses: radiological reasoning.
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  22268204     Owner:  NLM     Status:  In-Data-Review    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
OBJECTIVE: A 36-year-old woman presented to her primary care physician with right lower abdominal pain. Her physician subsequently requested a CT to rule out appendicitis. Contrast-enhanced CT was performed and revealed no evidence of appendicitis but showed two subcutaneous ovoid soft-tissue masses anterior to the rectus sheath in the upper pelvis. Pelvic MRI confirmed the two masses, which showed mild enhancement. The objective of this article is to discuss a diagnostic approach to subcutaneous soft-tissue masses in the abdominal wall. Diagnosis was endometriosis of the abdominal wall. CONCLUSION: Integrating salient imaging findings with clinical history is crucial when approaching the diagnosis of subcutaneous soft-tissue masses. The diagnosis of endometriosis should be entertained when soft-tissue masses are seen in the distribution of a cesarean section scar in a woman of reproductive age. Pain, particularly with a cyclic pattern, is highly suggestive of endometriosis. If endometriosis is suspected on CT or ultrasound, MRI can be performed for further evaluation. Definitive diagnosis is made with biopsy. Because subcutaneous nodules are so amenable percutaneous biopsy, imaging features, although of interest, are somewhat ancillary to the diagnostic workup.
Authors:
Lauren Stein; Khaled M Elsayes; Nicolaus Wagner-Bartak
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Publication Detail:
Type:  Journal Article    
Journal Detail:
Title:  AJR. American journal of roentgenology     Volume:  198     ISSN:  1546-3141     ISO Abbreviation:  AJR Am J Roentgenol     Publication Date:  2012 Feb 
Date Detail:
Created Date:  2012-01-23     Completed Date:  -     Revised Date:  -    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  7708173     Medline TA:  AJR Am J Roentgenol     Country:  United States    
Other Details:
Languages:  eng     Pagination:  W146-51     Citation Subset:  AIM; IM    
Affiliation:
Department of Radiology, University of Michigan Health System, Ann Arbor, MI.
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