Retroperitoneal synovial sarcoma manifested by obstructive jaundice in an elderly woman: case report.

Synovial sarcoma is a rare type of soft tissue sarcoma that arises in tissues containing synovial fluid, usually in the extremities. It has only rare occurrence in the retroperitoneal space. Early detection of retroperitoneal synovial sarcoma is difficult, since the retroperitoneal space is highly expandable and deeply hidden. Furthermore, the presenting symptoms are often vague and nonspecific, and are related to the pressure on adjacent structures. In this study, we present an unusual case of retroperitoneal synovial sarcoma with obstructive jaundice due to intrabiliary blood clots caused by invasion of bile duct by tumor. The obstructive jaundice was relieved through endoscopic removal of the blood clots and insertion of a biliary stent.