Gliomatosis peritonei

Abstract

Gliomatosis peritonei, the occurrence of mature glial peritoneal implants, is a rare complication that is observed almost exclusively in the setting of ovarian teratoma. The clinicopathologic features of four such cases associated with ovarian teratoma of all grades are described herein. Gliomatosis peritonei is a benign condition. Although its presence is believed to suggest a more favorable prognosis in cases of high-grade ovarian teratoma, this was not found in one of our cases. Extensive histopathologic sampling of peritoneal implants is essential to exclude the presence of other teratomatous or germ cell elements, a negative factor in prognosis.