Multimodality imaging of common and uncommon peritoneal diseases: a review for radiologists.

Summary

Peritoneal disease can be caused by a wide spectrum of pathologies. This article begins with an overview of peritoneal embryology and anatomy followed by a detailed description of the multimodality imaging appearance of peritoneal diseases. The uncommon diseases which cause peritoneal disease include desmoid fibromatosis, desmoplastic small round cell tumor, malignant mesothelioma, well-differentiated mesothelioma, multicystic mesothelioma, papillary serous carcinoma, leiomyomatosis, extramedullary hematopoiesis, inflammatory pseudotumor and amyloidosis. This manuscript will help the radiologist become familiar with the different peritoneal spaces, pathways of spread, multimodality imaging appearance and differential diagnoses of peritoneal diseases in order to report the essential information for surgeons and oncologists to plan treatment.