A Giant Mesenteric Cyst: A Rare Entity in Childhood Surgical Spectrum

Abstract

Aim: Mesenteric cysts are rare abdominal masses which cause vomiting and distention and may be complicated with volvulus, bleeding, torsion and rupture, gastrointestinal perforation and even urinary obstruction. We present a patient with a mesenteric cyst causing gastrointestinal obstruction which treated surgically. Case: A 3 years old male patient was admitted to our hospital with symptoms of vomiting, constipation and abdominal distention. Plain abdominal anteroposterior X-ray study showed air-fluid levels and abdominal ultrasonography revealed a cystic mass of 15 × 8 cms. Abdominal computerized tomographic examination with and without contrast material revealed a giant cystic mass with septations together with secondary findings of intestinal obstruction. Exploratory laparotomy via midline incision was made. A cystic mass containing a clear fluid was observed. The mass was obstructing the ileal passage. The cyst together with 10 cms. of ileum were removed and an ileo-ileostomy was made. Pathological examination was consistent with mesenteric cyst. He was discharged to full recovery with a symptom-free postoperative tenth day. The child is doing well at 1 year after surgery. Discussion: Mesenteric cysts, although they are rare, can be easily diagnosed modern diagnostic imaging methods and treated surgically.

Chylolymphatic Mesenteric Cyst Mimicking Ovarian Cyst – A Rare Case Report

“…Small bowel mesentery (50%-67%) especially the ileum was the most common site of mesenteric cyst formation. 1,2 Mesenteric cysts are usually thin walled and do not have any mucosa or muscular wall. The lining epithelium is composed of endothelial cells.…”

“…The cysts may be asymptomatic or may manifest with abdominal pain, distension, lump, or intestinal obstruction. 3,1 Mesenteric cysts may present with acute abdomen. Complications are torsion, infarction, infection, intestinal volvulus, intestinal obstruction and anaemia from intracystic haemorrhage in large cysts.…”

“…Complete excision with or without resection of the involved bowel was found to have excellent long term prognosis and no recurrence has been reported because of complete excision of ectopic lymphatic channels. 1,6 Histopathology of the resected specimen reveals either unilocular or multilocular cysts. The cysts are usually lined with single layer of endothelium and may contain lymphoid tissue and foam cells.…”

Giant Mesenteric Cyst and Right Sided Syndrome in a 15-Year-Old Boy

“…1 They were first reported in 1507 by the Italian anatomist Benevieni after an autopsy of an 8 years old girl. 2 The frequency is 1 in 100, 000 to 350, 000 adult hospital admissions 3 4 and 1 in 20,000 to 35,000 pediatrics hospital admissions. 4 It mostly arises from the mesenteric border of small intestine.…”

A case of chylous mesenteric cyst: unusual presentation

“…Mesenteric cysts are found at a rate 1/140,000 in normal population while approximately one third of the patients are children younger than 15 years [1,2] . Mesenteric cysts may occur in any part of the mesentery from duodenum to rectum.…”