Pathways for the direct extension of malignant pleural mesothelioma into peritoneal cavity. Assessment using computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)

We investigated pathways for the direct extension of malignant pleural mesothelioma into peritoneal cavity using CT and MRI, and compared the radiographic findings with the corresponding gross pathologic features at thoracotomy or autopsy to make sure an accurate radiologic assessment. Three different pathways could be recognized ; direct invasion of diaphragmatic muscle to penetrate into peritoneal cavity, direct contiguous extension along the descending aorta into retroperitoneum through the aortic hiatus, and extension from the medial and lateral arcuate ligaments into retroperitoneum along the psoas major muscle and quadratus lumbrum muscle. MRI could evaluate a diaphragmatic muscle invasion and differentiate it from transdiaphragmatic extension. Irregularity of the infradiaphragmatic fat tissue in T1-weighted image was a reliable indicator of transdiaphragmatic extension. MRI is of value in assessing diaphragmatic involvement in patients with malignant pleural mesothelioma. (author)