Mesenteric fibromatosis masquerading as an ovarian neoplasm twenty years after Chernobyl radiation exposure.
BACKGROUND
Since their initial description in 1832, desmoid tumors have been reported to occur in virtually every part of the body. Intra-abdominal desmoid tumors, or mesenteric fibromatosis, are often associated with Familial Adenomatous Polyposis mutation in a syndrome known as Gardner's Syndrome. Although sporadic cases of desmoid tumors do occur, unlike Gardner's Syndrome, they predominantly occur extra-abdominally.


METHODS
Case report of a 61-year-old female who presented with two months of abdominal pain, progressive lower abdominal distension and a 10-15 pound weight gain accompanied by one week of urinary hesitancy and frequency. Patient underwent a diagnostic workup for an ovarian neoplasm, but was found at surgery to have mesentric fibromatosis.


CONCLUSIONS
Although uncommon, mesentric fibromatosis must be considered in the differential diagnosis when evaluating a patient with an abdominal mass of unknown origin.
Schlager
Avraham
A
Mount Sinai School of Medicine, NY 10029, USA. avraham.schlager@mssm.edu
Altchek
Albert
A
Kalir
Tamara
T
Deligdisch
Liane
L
Weber
Kaare J
KJ