Malignant mesothelioma of the greater omentum mimicking omental infarction: a case report. 2009

Min-Kee Shin, and Ok-Jae Lee, and Chang-Yoon Ha, and Hyun-Joo Min, and Tae-Hyo Kim
Department of Internal Medicine & Institute of Health Science, Gyeongsang National University School of Medicine, Jinju, Gyeongnam, South Korea.

Mesothelioma develops most commonly in the pleura, and less frequently in the peritoneum. Usually, it manifests as diffuse peritoneal thickening and multiple nodules, and rarely as a solitary mass. We report a rare case of primary malignant mesothelioma of the greater omentum, which mimicked omental infarct. A 54-year-old Korean man was admitted because of severe abdominal pain of sudden onset. A tender mass with indistinct margins was palpated in the upper abdomen. Abdominal ultrasound and computed tomography showed an ill-defined mass in the greater omentum and little ascites in the peri-hepatic space, and neutrophil-dominant exudates were documented on paracentesis. Intravenous antibiotics and analgesics were given for omental infarction with superimposed infection, which resulted in symptomatic improvement. The imaging studies after a week revealed a growing mass and ascites. Laparoscopic surgery was performed and an 8 cm x 3.3 cm greater omental mass was found, with multiple small nodules on the peritoneum, diaphragm, and pelvic cavity wall. Histological examination showed proliferating malignant epithelioid cells that stained strongly for calretinin, which was compatible with malignant mesothelioma. We recommend that primary omental mesothelioma should be included in the differential diagnosis of patients with omental infarction, despite its rarity.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D008297 Male Males
D008654 Mesothelioma A tumor derived from mesothelial tissue (peritoneum, pleura, pericardium). It appears as broad sheets of cells, with some regions containing spindle-shaped, sarcoma-like cells and other regions showing adenomatous patterns. Pleural mesotheliomas have been linked to exposure to asbestos. (Dorland, 27th ed) Mesotheliomas
D008875 Middle Aged An adult aged 45 - 64 years. Middle Age
D009852 Omentum A double-layered fold of peritoneum that attaches the STOMACH to other organs in the ABDOMINAL CAVITY. Omentums
D010532 Peritoneal Diseases Pathological processes involving the PERITONEUM. Peritoneal Disease
D010534 Peritoneal Neoplasms Tumors or cancer of the PERITONEUM. Peritoneal Carcinomatosis,Peritoneal Surface Malignancy,Carcinomatosis, Peritoneal,Malignancy, Peritoneal Surface,Neoplasm, Peritoneal,Peritoneal Carcinomatoses,Peritoneal Neoplasm,Peritoneal Surface Malignancies,Surface Malignancy, Peritoneal
D010535 Laparoscopy A procedure in which a laparoscope (LAPAROSCOPES) is inserted through a small incision near the navel to examine the abdominal and pelvic organs in the PERITONEAL CAVITY. If appropriate, biopsy or surgery can be performed during laparoscopy. Celioscopy,Laparoscopic Surgical Procedures,Peritoneoscopy,Surgical Procedures, Laparoscopic,Laparoscopic Assisted Surgery,Laparoscopic Surgery,Laparoscopic Surgical Procedure,Procedure, Laparoscopic Surgical,Procedures, Laparoscopic Surgical,Surgery, Laparoscopic,Surgical Procedure, Laparoscopic,Celioscopies,Laparoscopic Assisted Surgeries,Laparoscopic Surgeries,Laparoscopies,Peritoneoscopies,Surgeries, Laparoscopic,Surgeries, Laparoscopic Assisted,Surgery, Laparoscopic Assisted
D010537 Peritoneum A membrane of squamous EPITHELIAL CELLS, the mesothelial cells, covered by apical MICROVILLI that allow rapid absorption of fluid and particles in the PERITONEAL CAVITY. The peritoneum is divided into parietal and visceral components. The parietal peritoneum covers the inside of the ABDOMINAL WALL. The visceral peritoneum covers the intraperitoneal organs. The double-layered peritoneum forms the MESENTERY that suspends these organs from the abdominal wall. Parietal Peritoneum,Peritoneum, Parietal,Peritoneum, Visceral,Visceral Peritoneum,Parametrium,Parametriums
D011379 Prognosis A prediction of the probable outcome of a disease based on a individual's condition and the usual course of the disease as seen in similar situations. Prognostic Factor,Prognostic Factors,Factor, Prognostic,Factors, Prognostic,Prognoses
D003937 Diagnosis, Differential Determination of which one of two or more diseases or conditions a patient is suffering from by systematically comparing and contrasting results of diagnostic measures. Diagnoses, Differential,Differential Diagnoses,Differential Diagnosis

Related Publications

Min-Kee Shin, and Ok-Jae Lee, and Chang-Yoon Ha, and Hyun-Joo Min, and Tae-Hyo Kim
January 2004, Surgery today,
Min-Kee Shin, and Ok-Jae Lee, and Chang-Yoon Ha, and Hyun-Joo Min, and Tae-Hyo Kim
April 1986, Postgraduate medicine,
Min-Kee Shin, and Ok-Jae Lee, and Chang-Yoon Ha, and Hyun-Joo Min, and Tae-Hyo Kim
November 2015, Revista espanola de enfermedades digestivas,
Min-Kee Shin, and Ok-Jae Lee, and Chang-Yoon Ha, and Hyun-Joo Min, and Tae-Hyo Kim
April 1950, The American journal of digestive diseases,
Min-Kee Shin, and Ok-Jae Lee, and Chang-Yoon Ha, and Hyun-Joo Min, and Tae-Hyo Kim
October 2023, Cureus,
Min-Kee Shin, and Ok-Jae Lee, and Chang-Yoon Ha, and Hyun-Joo Min, and Tae-Hyo Kim
January 2015, Surgical case reports,
Min-Kee Shin, and Ok-Jae Lee, and Chang-Yoon Ha, and Hyun-Joo Min, and Tae-Hyo Kim
June 2000, Annales de chirurgie,
Min-Kee Shin, and Ok-Jae Lee, and Chang-Yoon Ha, and Hyun-Joo Min, and Tae-Hyo Kim
April 2008, Gan to kagaku ryoho. Cancer & chemotherapy,
Min-Kee Shin, and Ok-Jae Lee, and Chang-Yoon Ha, and Hyun-Joo Min, and Tae-Hyo Kim
April 1982, Military medicine,
Min-Kee Shin, and Ok-Jae Lee, and Chang-Yoon Ha, and Hyun-Joo Min, and Tae-Hyo Kim
December 1968, Cancer,
Copied contents to your clipboard!