Peritonitis causing acute limb ischaemia.

A patient presented with an acutely ischaemic leg and mild abdominal pain. Arteriography showed an iliac occlusion and some distal occlusive disease. At laparotomy a perforated gastric ulcer was found, and by the end of this operation the foot was well perfused. This case exemplifies the serious reduction in limb blood supply which can be caused by an acute illness, without thrombosis of vessels. It emphasises the importance of general assessment and treatment of any associated acute condition, in cases of acute limb ischaemia.