Pathologies of the Peritoneum, Mesentery and Diaphragm

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.