Diagnostic approach to primary retroperitoneal pathologies: what the radiologist needs to know

Abdom Radiol (NY). 2021 Mar;46(3):1062-1081. doi: 10.1007/s00261-020-02752-8. Epub 2020 Sep 17.

Abstract

Retroperitoneal soft tissue lesions represent a wide range of disease processes with overlapping imaging findings. Familiarity with the CT and MR characteristics of these conditions is important to guide clinical evaluation. We review the tissue types, characteristic clinical, demographic, and imaging features of retroperitoneal tumors and tumor-like non-neoplastic conditions with CT and MR correlation, including anatomic and imaging clues, and provide a diagnostic approach to aide the radiologist in making a specific diagnosis.

Keywords: Amyloidosis; Arteriovenous malformation; Erdheim–Chester disease; Mesenchymal tumors; Neurogenic tumors; Retroperitoneum.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Erdheim-Chester Disease*
  • Humans
  • Radiologists
  • Retroperitoneal Neoplasms* / diagnostic imaging
  • Retroperitoneal Space / diagnostic imaging