Pathologies of the peritoneum, mesentery and diaphragm are uncommon,
making their diagnosis more challenging. We present the main issues in diagnosis and
treatment.
Peritonitis represents acute inflammation of the peritoneum that can be caused by
perforation, inflammation or gangrene of an intra- or retroperitoneal structure. The
most frequently encountered peritoneal tumours are metastases originating in
gastrointestinal, ovarian, lung, pancreatic and breast adenocarcinomas. Lymphomas
can primarily or secondary affect the peritoneum.
There are two main categories of diseases affecting the mesentery: diseases that start
from the mesentery (which can also affect neighbouring organs) and diseases that
originate in neighbouring organs.
The most encountered hernias of the diaphragm are those occurring through the
oesophageal hiatus, but there can also be congenital hernias (oesophageal, Morgagni
and Bochdalek) or through post-traumatic defects. As in all other organs, primary
diaphragmatic tumours can be classified as benign (cyst and lipomas) or malignant
(rhabdomyosarcoma and fibrosarcoma), with other types of primary tumours than those
aforementioned being very rarely seen.
Keywords: Ascites, Diaphragmatic hernias, Mesentery, Peritoneal tumours, Peritonitis, Pseudomyxoma peritonei, Tuberculosis.
