Laparoscopic excision of primary retroperitoneal mucinous cystadenoma and malignant predicting factors derived from literature review

• We successfully resected 6.5 cm- sized retroperitoneal cystic mass through laparoscopic approach.
• Pathologic examination revealed a primary mucinous cystadenoma.
• Literature review showed that male sex (p = 0.019), and solid nodules in cysts (p < 0.001) were both significantly associated with malignancy.
• When confronted with a cystic mass in the retroperitoneum, a primary mucinous cystic neoplasm should be considered and complete surgical removal of the tumor without spillage is recommended.

IntroductionPrimary retroperitoneal mucinous cystic neoplasm is very rare and its histogenesis is unclear.Presentation of caseThis paper presents the case of a 31-year-old female in whom an incidentally detected retroperitoneal cystic mass, 6.5 cm in size, was successfully resected through laparoscopic approach. Pathologic examination revealed a mucinous cystadenoma. The postoperative course was uneventful, and the patient remained free of recurrence six months after surgery.DiscussionLiterature review showed that male sex (p = 0.019), and solid nodules in cysts (p < 0.001) were both significantly associated with malignancy.ConclusionWhen confronted with a cystic mass in the retroperitoneum, a primary mucinous cystic neoplasm should be considered and complete surgical removal of the tumor without spillage is recommended.