Preoperative assessment of retroperitoneal pathology by magnetic resonance imaging. Primary leiomyosarcoma of inferior vena cava.

A woman with a retroperitoneal mass was found to have a leiomyosarcoma arising in the wall of the inferior vena cava. The extensive preoperative radiologic findings were compared with those of magnetic resonance imaging. The latter allowed a more precise preoperative diagnosis and determination of tumor origin and extent than any of the other diagnostic techniques.