The Peritoneum: Anatomy, Pathologic Findings, and Patterns of Disease Spread

Disease spread in the abdomen and pelvis generally occurs in a predictable pattern in relation to anatomic landmarks and fascial planes. Anatomically, the abdominopelvic cavity is subdivided into several smaller spaces or compartments by key ligaments and fascial planes. The abdominal cavity has been traditionally divided into peritoneal, retroperitoneal, and pelvic extraperitoneal spaces. Recently, more clinically relevant classifications have evolved. Many pathologic conditions affect the abdominal cavity, including traumatic, inflammatory, infectious, and neoplastic processes. These abnormalities can extend beyond their sites of origin through various pathways. Identifying the origin of a disease process is the first step in formulating a differential diagnosis and ultimately reaching a final diagnosis. Pathologic conditions differ in terms of pathways of disease spread. For example, simple fluid tracks along fascial planes, respecting anatomic boundaries, while fluid from acute necrotizing pancreatitis can destroy fascial planes, resulting in transfascial spread without regard for anatomic landmarks. Furthermore, neoplastic processes can spread through multiple pathways, with a propensity for spread to noncontiguous sites. When the origin of a disease process is not readily apparent, recognizing the spread pattern can allow the radiologist to work backward and ultimately arrive at the site or source of pathogenesis. As such, a cohesive understanding of the peritoneal anatomy, the typical organ or site of origin for a disease process, and the corresponding pattern of disease spread is critical not only for initial diagnosis but also for establishing a road map for staging, anticipating further disease spread, guiding search patterns and report checklists, determining prognosis, and tailoring appropriate follow-up imaging studies. ©RSNA, 2024 Supplemental material is available for this article.

Secondary amenorrhea as the first presentation of Krukenberg tumor arising from the gastroesophageal junction in a 34-year-old woman: A case report

INTRODUCTION

Krukenberg tumors account for 9 % of metastatic ovarian tumors, they usually originate from the stomach and colon and are microscopically characterized by the presence of mucus-filled signet-ring cells. Krukenberg tumor originating from the gastroesophageal junction is extremely rare, which limits establishing proper diagnosis and management.

PRESENTATION OF CASE

A 34-year-old women presented with a complaint of amenorrhea, ultrasonography showed bilateral ovarian masses, pathological studies revealed Krukenberg tumor, immunohistochemistry of the tumor was positive for (CK1, and CK20). Upper GI endoscopy revealed the primary lesion located at the inferior esophagus and extending to the cardia. Despite marked improvement after introducing a chemotherapy regimen of oxaliplatin, calcium folinate and fluorouracil, the patient refused to complete her therapeutic course and died 5 months after discontinuation.

DISCUSSION

Krukenberg tumor may be asymptomatic but may also manifest as pelvic pain, bloating, and menstrual cycle abnormalities. Immunohistochemistry of Krukenberg tumor is mandatory to determine the primary tumor. Positivity of CK1, CK20 and negativity of CK7 indicates the gastrointestinal origin of the tumor. Different choices are available for the management of Krukenberg tumor but it still has a poor prognosis with an average survival rate of 14 months.

CONCLUSION

Krukenberg tumor from the esophagus is rare and still enigmatic in terms of management. In this article, we aim to draw attention into possible presentations of the tumor by providing the first case in Syria of Krukenberg tumor originating from the esophagus and presenting as secondary amenorrhea and bilateral adnexal masses.

Impact of Oophorectomy on Survival and Improving Nutritional Status in Ovarian Metastasis from Colorectal Adenocarcinoma

INTRODUCTION

Ovarian metastasis of colorectal cancer is known to have a poor prognosis. This study aimed to elucidate the characteristics of patients who underwent oophorectomy for ovarian metastasis from colorectal cancer.

METHODS

This retrospective study included 16 patients who underwent oophorectomy for colorectal cancer metastasis to the ovary from January 2004 to December 2017. Improvement in patient's symptoms and pre- and postoperative changes in various nutritional and inflammatory indicators were assessed. Survival analysis and identification of prognostic factors were conducted with a median follow-up of 40.7 (5-109) months.

RESULTS

Of 16 patients, 12 had (75%) synchronous and 4 (25%) had metachronous metastasis. Fourteen patients were symptomatic but symptoms resolved postoperatively. Thirteen patients (81.3%) had ascites and 5 (31.3%) had pleural effusion on preoperative computed tomography that disappeared after surgery in all cases. The median value of prognostic nutritional factor was significantly increased postoperatively (36.0 [preoperatively] vs. 47.5, p < 0.0001). The median (interquartile range) values for lymphocyte-C-reactive protein ratio were 715.2 (110-2,607) preoperatively and 6,095.2 (1,612.3-14,431.8) postoperatively (p = 0.0214). The median survival of the entire cohort was 60.4 months. The 3-year survival rates for R0 + R1 and R2 cases were 83% and 24% (p = 0.018), respectively. Univariate analysis showed that R2 resection and low postoperative lymphocyte-C-reactive protein ratio were associated with poor prognosis.

CONCLUSIONS

Oophorectomy for ovarian metastasis from colorectal cancers was safely performed. It improved the patients' symptoms and nutritional status and may result in improved prognosis.

Ovarian Metastasis from Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma

BACKGROUND

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) has a high propensity for systemic dissemination. Ovarian metastases are rare and poorly described.

METHODS

We identified PDAC cases with ovarian metastasis from a prospectively maintained registry. We reported on the association between outcomes and clinicopathologic factors. Recurrence-free (RFS) and overall survival (OS) were calculated using Kaplan-Meier analysis.

RESULTS

Twelve patients with PDAC and synchronous or metachronous ovarian metastases were identified. Nine patients (75%) underwent pancreatectomy for localized PDAC and developed metachronous ovarian recurrence. The median OS for all patients was 25.4 (IQR:15.4-82.9) months. For the nine patients with metachronous ovarian metastasis, the median RFS and OS were 14.2 (IQR:7.2-58.3) and 44.6 (IQR:18.6-82.9) months, respectively. Nodal disease, poor grade, vascular invasion in the pancreatic primary, and bilateral ovarian disease tended to confer worse outcomes.

CONCLUSION

Patients with resected PDAC and ovarian recurrence tend to have a comparable disease course to more common patterns of recurrence. Primaries with nodal disease, poorer grade, vascular invasion, and bilateral ovarian disease were indicative of more aggressive disease biology. The ideal management remains largely unknown, and future collaborative efforts should optimize therapeutic strategies.

Pressurized intraperitoneal aerosol chemotheprapy after misdiagnosed gastric cancer: Case report and review of the literature

We report the first application of pressurized intraperitoneal aerosol chemotherapy (PIPAC) as a rescue therapy before palliative D2 gastrectomy combined with liver metastasectomy performed in a 49-year-old woman with peritoneal carcinomatosis who was primarily diagnosed with and underwent surgery for a Krukenberg tumor. The PIPAC procedure was performed with the use of cisplatin at 7.5 mg/m² and doxorubicin at 1.5 mg/m² for 30 min at 37 °C. Eight weeks after the PIPAC procedure, the patient underwent open classic D2 gastrectomy with the creation of a Roux-en-Y anastomosis (RNY) combined with liver metastasectomy. The patient underwent the classic protocol for chemotherapy combined with Xeloda. The patient felt better and returned to her daily activities. Multicenter data should be gathered to confirm the usefulness of PIPAC as a rescue or neoadjuvant supportive therapy in a very select group of patients who have been recently qualified to undergo classic chemotherapy or standard oncologic surgical procedures.

The pathogenesis, diagnosis, and management of metastatic tumors to the ovary: a comprehensive review

Secondary tumors of the ovary account for 10-25% of all ovarian malignancies. The most common tumors that give rise to ovarian metastases include breast, colorectal, endometrial, stomach, and appendix cancer. The correct diagnosis of secondary ovarian tumors may be challenging as they are not infrequently misdiagnosed as primary ovarian cancer, particularly in the case of mucinous adenocarcinomas. The distinction from the latter is essential, as it requires different treatment. Immunohistochemistry plays an important role in distinguishing primary ovarian tumors from extra-ovarian metastases and, furthermore, may suggest the primary tumor site. Despite extensive study, some cases remain equivocal even after assessing a broad spectrum of antigens. Therefore, gene expression profiling represents an approach able to further discriminate equivocal findings, and one that has been proven effective in determining the origin of cancer of unknown primary site. The available data concerning secondary ovarian tumors is rather limited owing to the relative heterogeneity of this group and the practical absence of any prospective trials. However, several intriguing questions are encountered in daily practice, including rational diagnostic workup, the role of cytoreductive surgery, and consequent adjuvant chemotherapy. This review seeks to address these issues comprehensively and summarize current knowledge on the epidemiology, pathogenesis, and management of secondary ovarian tumors, including further discussion on the different pathways of metastatisation, metastatic organotropism, and their possible molecular mechanisms.