18F-FDG PET/CT imaging in a patient with a rare diagnosis of sarcomatoid malignant peritoneal mesothelioina

Abstract

Malignant peritoneal mesothelioma is an uncommon but deadly disease arising from serosal surfaces of the peritoneum. Asbestos exposure is the most recognized risk factor. We report a case of diffuse, sarcomatoid malignant peritoneal mesothelioma who presented to the hospital with abdominal pain. The patient had an abdominal MRI scan as initial scanning which demonstrated nonspecific findings suspected of peritoneal carcinomatosis. The patient was admitted to our department for the metabolic characterization of the lesions with F-18-FDG PET/CT imaging and the diagnosis of the primary malignancy. F-18-FDG PET/CT imaging revealed diffusely increased metabolic activity throughout the peritoneum and the histopathological features were compatible with sarcomatoid malignant peritoneal mesothelioma.