Benign surgical lesions of the cecum.

Abstract

A variety of benign conditions occurring in the cecal area may occasionally present difficult preoperative or operative problems to the surgeon. These patients are encountered by the surgeon in 2 principal manners. First, by the finding of some abnormality on preoperative study by barium enema, and secondly by the occurrence of some visible or palpable lesion at the time of celiotomy. A group of 12 such cases (Table) has been collected and studied. Seven of these patients were operated on because of abnormal x-ray findings, and the remaining 5 were discovered because of an abnormal mass in the region of the cecum. In all 7 patients with preoperative barium enemas, carcinoma was seriously considered. In 4 of the 7 cases the benign condition encountered at operation was suggested in the differential diagnosis offered by the radiologist. Lesions occurring in the cecal area exclusive of appendicitis and malignant neoplasms may be