What is pseudomagnetism syndrome?

  Pseudomagnetism syndrome refers to a syndrome in which ascites and pleural effusion are associated with pelvic tumors and do not necessarily disappear after resection of the tumor. The cause of ascites in this syndrome is usually associated with malignant tumors of ovary, fallopian tube, uterus, etc., especially if peritoneal implantation or metastasis occurs. Benign papillary cystadenomas and mucinous cystadenomas can also produce large amounts of ascites because the papillae penetrate the cyst wall and can be implanted in the peritoneum. The clinical presentation of pseudomegg’s syndrome is similar to that of true Magg’s syndrome. Most of the ascites that occurs is brownish red, bloody ascites, sometimes mixed with mucus or tumor contents, and the ascites is viscous and cloudy, and cancer cells can sometimes be found by centrifugal sedimentation for smear examination, so laparotomy is done to take ascites specimens for examination to facilitate diagnosis and differentiation.  After Meig and Cass elaborated seven cases of Meig’s syndrome in 1937, Meig proposed pseudo-Meig’s syndrome in 1954 in the journal obstetGynecol. In 1968, Brenner and Scott reported this syndrome under the title “Meig-like syndrome secondary to Krukenberg’s tumor”.  The main points of differentiation from Meig’s syndrome: 1. The location and nature of the tumor Meig’s syndrome refers to ovarian fibrous tumor with peritoneal effusion and pleural effusion which occurs mostly unilaterally and is a benign substantial tumor with occasional malignancy. The tumors in this syndrome can occur in the ovary, fallopian tube, uterus, and uterine ligament, most of which are malignant, as well as benign tumors with clinical malignant manifestations such as benign papillary plasmacytoma and papillary growth of mucinous cystadenoma. The tumor of this sign can also occur metastasis of other organs and implantation of peritoneal and peripheral tissues.  The ascites caused by ovarian fibroids is clear, yellowish or yellow-green in color with low relative density (specific gravity), in which colloid, cells and cellular debris are few components and no cancer cells can be found in the ascites caused by pseudomagnetism syndrome. The tumor cells are sometimes seen in the smear examination by centrifugal sedimentation. Therefore, depending on the situation, laparotomy can be performed to take specimens of ascites for examination, which is helpful for diagnosis and differentiation.  Histopathological examination is a golden indicator for the diagnosis of this disease. Surgical resection of the tumor or laparoscopic biopsy is also the only way to clearly diagnose the syndrome.  Treatment Surgical resection of the tumor is the principle of treatment for this syndrome. Depending on the nature of the tumor, radiotherapy and chemotherapy can be administered before and after surgery.  Prevention Early detection, early surgery and good follow-up.