The role of cross sectional imaging in the differential diagnosis of primary retroperitoneal masses / Ahmed Hassan Ali Mohamed ; Supervised Sameh Abdelaziz Hanna , Hisham Samir Wahba

Thesis (M.Sc.) - Cairo University - Faculty of Medicine - Department of Radio-diagnosis

The retroperitoneum is the compartmentalized space bounded anteriorly by the posterior parietal peritoneum and posteriorly by the transversalis fascia. It extends from the diaphragm superiorly to the pelvic brim inferiorly. The abdominal retroperitoneum is divided by fascial planes into the anterior and posterior pararenal spaces and the perirenal (or perinephric) space. The majority of retroperitoneal masses arises from retroperitoneal organs and is therefore not considered primary retroperitoneal mass. Diagnosis of a primary retroperitoneal mass may be made once the location is confirmed as within the retroperitoneal space and after an organ of origin is excluded. Primary retroperitoneal neoplasms are a diverse group of benign and malignant tumors that arise within the retroperitoneum but outside the major organs

Issued also as CD