[Leiomyoma of the small intestines--a rare cause of emergency abdominal surgery].

The authors underline that, although rarely found, leiomyomas of the gastrointestinal tract are the most frequent benign tumours of the small intestine. On occasions, from being a simple autoptic finding or diagnosed during the course of explorative laparotomy, they may be responsible for emergency abdominal surgery, hemorrhage, occlusion or perforation. The authors discuss the experience acquired in two cases-treated during the last two years, both of which were symptomatic. In one case there was a palpable abdominal mass, and in both the key symptom was the appearance of melena a few days before being admitted to hospital. The most striking problem of this rare pathology is its diagnosis owing to both the absence of a specific clinical symptoms, and the difficulties shown in radiological diagnostics of the small intestine. In the authors' experience CAT using a contrast medium is an important instrument, whereas clyster of the small intestine is of scarce value. Explorative laparotomy was essential for removing any doubts regarding diagnosis. Both patients underwent extensive intestinal resection, including the mass and relative mesenteric wedge, with TT single-layer anastomosis. The postoperative period was normal.