Gray-scale sonographic findings in a patient with pseudomyxoma peritonei.

Pseudomyxoma peritonei is a rare condition in which the abdominal cavity fills with thick mucoid material as a result of either a benign or malignant disease. We report the findings with gray-scale sonography and laparoscopy in a 74-year-old man with pseudomyxoma peritonei. After paracentesis and drainage of the ascites, sonography visualized hypoechoic nodules in the peritoneum at the surface of the liver and between bowel loops. Laparoscopy revealed mucoid material diffusely throughout the abdominal cavity. The diagnosis of pseudomyxoma peritonei was confirmed by cytologic examination of peritoneal fluid and histologic examination of laparoscopically obtained specimens.