title: CT, MRI and PET imaging in peritoneal malignancy.
abstract: Imaging plays a vital role in the evaluation of patients with suspected or proven peritoneal malignancy. Nevertheless, despite significant advances in imaging technology and protocols, assessment of peritoneal pathology remains challenging. The combination of complex peritoneal anatomy, an extensive surface area that may host tumour deposits and the considerable overlap of imaging appearances of various peritoneal diseases often makes interpretation difficult. Contrast-enhanced multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) remains the most versatile tool in the imaging of peritoneal malignancy. However, conventional and emerging magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and positron emission tomography (PET)/CT techniques offer significant advantages over MDCT in detection and surveillance. This article reviews established and new techniques in CT, MRI and PET imaging in both primary and secondary peritoneal malignancies and provides an overview of peritoneal anatomy, function and modes of disease dissemination with illustration of common sites and imaging features of peritoneal malignancy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Diagnostic Imaging, Barts and the London NHS Trust, Bart's Cancer Centre, St Bartholomew's Hospital, West Smithfield, London, EC1A 7BE, UK. chirag.patel2@bartsandthelondon.nhs.uk
authors.forename: Chirag M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Patel
authors.forename: Anju
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sahdev
authors.forename: Rodney H
authors.initials: RH
authors.lastname: Reznek
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D009361:Neoplasm Invasiveness; D010534:Peritoneal Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D010537:Peritoneum / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D049268:Positron-Emission Tomography / Q000379:methods*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods*