An unusual radiological presentation of mucinous adenocarcinoma of the colon

Abstract

We report a case of an elderly patient presenting with the left iliac fossa mass. The provisional diagnosis included an inflammatory diverticular mass or sigmoid colon cancer. Interestingly, computed tomography (CT) of the abdomen and pelvis demonstrated the left incarcerated Spigelian hernia containing an inflamed loop of the colon with signs of an early strangulation. However, at operation, a mucinous tumor was found involving the descending and upper sigmoid colon. The tumor eroded through the anterior abdominal wall, which was excised "en bloc." In the presented case, CT findings suggestive of a benign etiology were misleading. This potentially could have had significant consequences if the patient was treated conservatively. This case highlights that clinical history and examination remain the core components of a safe surgical practice. Clinical judgment cannot be substituted even by the best quality imaging. Therefore, we feel that it is important to share our experience of the successful management of the presented case.