Successful removal of primary retroperitoneal mucinous cystadenoma by laparoscopic surgery

Primary mucinous cystadenomas of the retroperitoneum is extremely rare, and its histogenesis and biological behavior is unclear. Most authors suggested that it develops via mucinous metaplasia in a pre-existing mesothelium-lined cyst. We report here on a case of a 47-year-old Korean woman with primary retroperitoneal mucinous cystadenoma. Although the tumor was detected by ultrasound and computed tomography (CT), a preoperative diagnosis could not be established. The cystic tumor was successfully removed by laparoscopic surgery and microscopic examination revealed a mucinous cystadenoma. It had an ovarian stromal-like aspect and a lining of monolayer cuboidal epithelium; the tumor measured 5.O×5.O×3.5cm in size.