Image of the Month—Diagnosis

Abstract

Children's Hospital with an 8-day history of abdominal cramping, pain, and bile-stained vomiting. During the past 6 months he had experienced episodes of abdominal distention, constipation, and bile-stained vomiting and 1 episode of hematemesis and rectal hemorrhage 3 days before his admission. He weighed 37 kg; although his abdomen was not distended, the upper abdomen was tender, with normal bowel sounds and no palpable mass. The results of laboratory examinations were all normal. An abdominal radiograph did identify an abnormally dilated loop of the small bowel. Investigations

Giant Mesenteric Lipoma As an Unusual Cause of Abdominal Pain: A Case Report and a Review of the Literature

“…The incidence of this tumor is equal for both sexes, and seven of the cases have been reported in children (2, 8, 11-13, 15). All tumors are located in the mesentery of the small intestine, mostly the ileum, as our case.…”

Mesenteric lipoma causing recurrent intestinal obstruction

“…Primary mesenteric tumors are rare. [2,4] Benign ones (such as mesenteric dermoid and fibroma) are commoner than malignant tumors (desmoid tumor and liposarcoma). [6] Up to 2009, less than 30 cases of mesenteric lipoma were documented in English literature.…”

“…His body mass index was 24 kg/m. [2] The significant findings in the abdomen were central abdominal fullness, an easily palpable, mobile central abdominal mass measuring about 15 cm in its widest diameter. The mass was more mobile in the vertical plane and was not tender but one could get above and below it.…”

“…[1] However, lipomata occurring in the mesentery of the small intestine and transverse colon, referred to as mesenteric lipomata, are generally reported in literature as rare. [2,5] Mesenteric lipoma is usually asymptomatic as it usually allows the passage of intestinal contents. [2,7] Mesenteric lipoma may cause abdominal pain by complete intestinal obstruction due to torsion or volvulus or partial intestinal obstruction associated with compression of the gut.…”

“…[2,5] Mesenteric lipoma is usually asymptomatic as it usually allows the passage of intestinal contents. [2,7] Mesenteric lipoma may cause abdominal pain by complete intestinal obstruction due to torsion or volvulus or partial intestinal obstruction associated with compression of the gut. [7] There is presently no report by an African author.…”