Lesser Peritoneal Sac Perforation Complicating Gastric Carcinoma

Abstract

Summary In a consecutive autopsy study of 1,522 cases, of all ages, 20 cases of gastric carcinoma were found, in which there were 3 cases of perforation. Of the 3 perforated cases, 2 involved the lesser peritoneal sac. These 2 cases are described with autopsy findings. In neither case was a clinical diagnosis made of lesser peritoneal sac involvement. The clinical and roentgenologic examinations presented no findings indicative of this condition. In one case both the lesser and greater peritoneal cavities were involved, in the other only the lesser sac was affected. The spread of the carcinomatous lesion in the latter case corresponded to the anatomic relation of the adjacent organs with the lesser omental sac. A detailed description of the clinical and roentgenologic diagnostic criteria of lesser peritoneal sac involvement following gastroduodenal perforations are more fully described in the preceding paper.