Internal Medicine Flashcard

A jelly belly: An unusual cause of ascites

Diagnosis: pseudomyxoma peritonei

The patient underwent exploratory laparotomy followed by excision of about 8 kg of gelatinous masses. The appendix was completely infiltrated. Pathological examination revealed a ruptured low grade appendiceal mucinous neoplasm with widespread pseudomyxoma peritonei. The patient was given intraperitoneal chemotherapy.

Pseudomyxoma peritonei (PMP) is a rare condition, with a reported incidence of 1–2 per million per year [1]. It refers to a gelatinous ascites occurring in the context of