Table of Contents
What are intra-abdominal masses?
Intra-abdominal masses are defined as masses located at the edges of the ribs and in the region of the paraspinal muscles limited in the anterior by the iliac wings and the symphysis pubis (1).
What is a mass of anterior abdominal wall?
Fat-containing masses in the abdominal wall are primarily benign lipomas (1). Liposarcoma is the primary consideration in the differential diagnosis of fatty masses with an atypical appearance. Other fat-containing masses in the abdominal wall include hemangiomas, arteriovenous malformations, and hibernomas.
What is the abdominal wall?
The abdominal wall surrounds the abdominal cavity, providing it with flexible coverage and protecting the internal organs from damage. It is bounded superiorly by the xiphoid process and costal margins, posteriorly by the vertebral column and inferiorly by the pelvic bones and inguinal ligament.
What causes abdominal wall mass?
Possible causes include hernias, lipomas, hematomas, undescended testicles, and tumors. Not all abdominal lumps require treatment, but some may need surgery. Abdominal lumps can be hard or soft and may feel sore. However, they may also appear with no additional symptoms.
What could cause a mass in the abdomen?
Abdominal masses While masses can appear in the stomach itself, some conditions cause masses elsewhere in the abdominal cavity, such as in the intestines, kidneys, or liver. Examples of conditions that can cause abdominal masses include: colon cancer. Crohns disease.
How is intra-abdominal mass different?
It is important to differentiate abdominal wall from intra-abdominal masses. A mass of the abdominal wall will become more prominent with tensing of the abdominal wall musculature, whereas an intra-abdominal mass will become less prominent or disappear
Are abdominal masses usually benign?
Abdominal masses may be large or small, benign or malignant (cancerous), and curable or untreatable. Examples of small benign abdominal masses include hamartomas and cysts, which are solid and fluid-filled collections, respectively, of normal cells.
What is a abdominal wall mass?
An abdominal mass is an abnormal growth in the abdomen. An abdominal mass causes visible swelling and may change the shape of the abdomen. A person with an abdominal mass may notice weight gain and symptoms such as abdominal discomfort, pain, and bloating. Masses in the abdomen are often described by their location.
Can an abdominal mass be benign?
Possible causes include hernias, lipomas, hematomas, undescended testicles, and tumors. Not all abdominal lumps require treatment, but some may need surgery. Abdominal lumps can be hard or soft and may feel sore. However, they may also appear with no additional symptoms.
Whats the difference between a mass and a lesion?
Abdominal masses may be large or small, benign or malignant (cancerous), and curable or untreatable. Examples of small benign abdominal masses include hamartomas and cysts, which are solid and fluid-filled collections, respectively, of normal cells.
What does the abdominal wall consist of?
There are nine layers to the abdominal wall: skin, subcutaneous tissue, superficial fascia, external oblique muscle, internal oblique muscle, transversus abdominis muscle, transversalis fascia, preperitoneal adipose and areolar tissue, and peritoneum. Nerves, blood vessels, and lymphatics are present throughout.
What is the abdominal wall called?
There is a common set of layers covering and forming all the walls: the deepest being the visceral peritoneum, which covers many of the abdominal organs (most of the large and small intestines, for example), and the parietal peritoneum- which covers the visceral peritoneum below it, the extraperitoneal fat, the
What is the function of the abdominal wall?
The major functions of the abdominal wall include: Providing a durable and flexible covering to prevent the abdominal viscera from leaving the abdominal cavity. Protecting internal abdominal organs from trauma/injury. Maintaining the anatomical position of the abdominal organs.
What is a mass on the abdominal wall?
Fat-containing masses in the abdominal wall are primarily benign lipomas (1). Liposarcoma is the primary consideration in the differential diagnosis of fatty masses with an atypical appearance. Other fat-containing masses in the abdominal wall include hemangiomas, arteriovenous malformations, and hibernomas.
Is an abdominal mass always cancer?
Fortunately, a mass is not always cancer. And though the majority of masses are benign, or noncancerous, they do require further monitoring and examination to determine the cause.
What causes abdominal wall swelling?
Abdominal masses may be large or small, benign or malignant (cancerous), and curable or untreatable. Examples of small benign abdominal masses include hamartomas and cysts, which are solid and fluid-filled collections, respectively, of normal cells.
Is a mass in the abdomen always cancer?
They are usually not cancerous. In rare cases, they can be. The types of cysts that can cause abdominal masses include: Ovarian cysts.
What would a mass in the abdomen be?
An abdominal mass is any abnormal growth that occurs within the abdomen. These masses have several causes, ranging from cysts to cancer. A doctor can diagnose what is causing an abdominal mass with an MRI scan, CT scan, or X-ray.
What are the symptoms of abdominal tumors?
When stomach cancer does cause signs and symptoms, they can include:
- Poor appetite.
- Weight loss (without trying)
- Abdominal (belly) pain.
- Vague discomfort in the abdomen, usually above the navel.
- Feeling full after eating only a small meal.
- Heartburn or indigestion.
- Nausea.
- Vomiting, with or without blood.
How can you tell the difference between intra and abdominal mass?
It is important to differentiate abdominal wall from intra-abdominal masses. A mass of the abdominal wall will become more prominent with tensing of the abdominal wall musculature, whereas an intra-abdominal mass will become less prominent or disappear
What is a intra-abdominal mass?
Definition. An intraabdominal mass is a space-occupying lesion within the abdominal cavity that appears either cystic or solid
What is intra-abdominal malignancy?
BACKGROUND: Intra-abdominal desmoplastic small round cell tumor is a rare malignancy with a predilection for young males. Unique histological and immunocytochemical features distinguish the tumor from other members of the family of small round cell tumors of infancy and childhood.
Can an abdominal mass be seen on ultrasound?
When an abdominal mass is identified, ultrasound provides information with regard to the organ of origin, cystic or solid nature of the mass, vascularity, presence of calcifications, and its extent.
How often are abdominal masses benign?
Abdominal masses may be large or small, benign or malignant (cancerous), and curable or untreatable. Examples of small benign abdominal masses include hamartomas and cysts, which are solid and fluid-filled collections, respectively, of normal cells.
Are most abdominal masses benign?
They are usually not cancerous. In rare cases, they can be. The types of cysts that can cause abdominal masses include: Ovarian cysts.