Objectives: The purpose of our study was to assess the sonographic features of pseudomyxoma peritonei (PMP).
Materials and methods: All records of peritoneal biopsies under the guidance of ultrasound in our institutional database from April 2007 to June 2011 were retrospectively reviewed. 19 cases of PMP and 279 cases of other peritoneal lesions were included in the study. The sonograms of peritoneum, ascites, and parenchymal organs involved by PMP were evaluated, respectively, and compared with sonograms of other peritoneal lesions.
Results: Anechoic areas were found in 89.5% cases of PMP at high frequency of insonation and the sensitivity in indicating PMP was 100%. In the pelvic cavity, echogenic foci in ascites of PMP in 52.6% cases were mobile. The specificity of "starburst" appearance and sensitivity of scalloping of the liver margin were relatively high (82.3 and 88.1%), but the sensitivity and specificity (57.9 and 42.1%) of these two signs were relatively low.
Conclusion: Anechoic area in the thickened peritoneum was a specific sign in indicating the diagnosis of PMP and high-frequency transducer could reveal these tiny anechoic areas more explicitly. In the pelvic cavity, echogenic foci in ascites of PMP could be observed to be mobile and scalloping of the liver margin and "starburst" appearance also played a significant role in indicating PMP.