title: Schloffer's tumor: Case report and review of the literature.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The so-called Schloffer tumor (ST) is a rare inflammatory pseudotumor. It usually appears several years after abdominal surgery or trauma.
  
  
  METHODS
  A 32-year-old man was referred to our hospital complaining of a painful mass in the left hypochondrium, postprandial distension and a weight loss of about 14kg. He had had a left inguinal hernioplasty without mesh the previous year. Ultrasonography of the abdomen showed a 2cm×2cm hypoechoic lesion in contact with the abdominal wall. Computerized tomography of the abdomen showed a heterogeneous mass in the great omentum. Laparoscopic exploration revealed an omental mass firmly attached to the abdominal wall. A great deal of purulent fluid spread during the procedure. Due to the difficult exploration, the procedure converted to hand assisted laparoscopy. We find an omental tumor involving the stomach and the transverse colon. Inside the mass there were purulent material and non-absorbable sutures. A drain was left inside the cavity of the abscess. Histological examination showed chronic inflammation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  ST characteristically presents a central chronic abscess containing non-absorbable sutures. It has been described after appendectomy, hernioplasty, hysterectomy, gastrectomy or colonic resections. Although benign, its progressive growth and infiltrating behavior resemble malignant tumors.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We suggest that a mini-invasive approach should always be performed. The interesting thing about this case is the appearance of the tumor in a place far away from the previous surgical site. A simple drainage and removal of suture material solves the problem of these patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of General Surgery, Hospital General de Agudos Dr. Cosme Argerich, Py y Margall 750, C1155 Buenos Aires, Argentina. Electronic address: fedejyaz@yahoo.com.ar.
authors.forename: Federico J
authors.initials: FJ
authors.lastname: Yazyi
authors.affiliation: Department of General Surgery, Hospital General de Agudos Dr. Cosme Argerich, Py y Margall 750, C1155 Buenos Aires, Argentina.
authors.forename: Carlos M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Canullan
authors.affiliation: Department of General Surgery, Hospital General de Agudos Dr. Cosme Argerich, Py y Margall 750, C1155 Buenos Aires, Argentina.
authors.forename: Nicolas F
authors.initials: NF
authors.lastname: Baglietto
authors.affiliation: Department of General Surgery, Hospital General de Agudos Dr. Cosme Argerich, Py y Margall 750, C1155 Buenos Aires, Argentina.
authors.forename: Roberto F
authors.initials: RF
authors.lastname: Klappenbach
authors.affiliation: Department of General Surgery, Hospital General de Agudos Dr. Cosme Argerich, Py y Margall 750, C1155 Buenos Aires, Argentina.
authors.forename: Facundo
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Alonso Quintas
authors.affiliation: Department of General Surgery, Hospital General de Agudos Dr. Cosme Argerich, Py y Margall 750, C1155 Buenos Aires, Argentina.
authors.forename: Juan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Alvarez Rodriguez
authors.affiliation: Department of General Surgery, Hospital General de Agudos Dr. Cosme Argerich, Py y Margall 750, C1155 Buenos Aires, Argentina.
authors.forename: Luis T
authors.initials: LT
authors.lastname: Chiappetta Porras
keywords: Inflammatory pseudotumor; Schloffer's tumor; Suture granulomas