Mesenteric lipoma causing recurrent intestinal obstruction

Abstract

Although lipoma is a common tumor found in almost all parts of the body, that occurring in the mesentery of the gut is a rarity. A 29-year-old man presented in our center with a 10-year history of recurrent central colicky abdominal pain, vomiting, constipation, and central abdominal mass. Exploratory laparotomy revealed a huge smooth yellow mass in the mesentery of the mid ileum. Resection of the affected segment of the ileum and end to end ileal anastomosis were carried out. Histology report confirmed lipoma. He had uneventful post-operative recovery. Mesenteric lipoma should be considered as a possible differential diagnosis in a patient with recurrent features of intestinal obstruction and a mobile abdominal mass. A high index of suspicion and improvement on the pre-operative diagnosis and treatment are needed in secondary health facilities in Africa.

Giant Adult Mesenteric Lipoma: A Rare Cause of Chronic Abdominal Distention and Discomfort

“…In rare cases, they may be found in the oral cavity, breast, pancreas, and intestines. There is an increased incidence of lipomas in patients with diabetes mellitus, hypercholesterolemia, and obesity, as found in our patient [3][4][5]. However, mesenteric lipoma is a rare tumor with less than 50 cases discussed in the English language literature [4,5].…”

“…On the top of the differential diagnosis, come dermoid cyst, liposarcoma, lymphangioma, lipoblastoma, lymphangiolipoma, and neuroblastoma [3].…”

“…MRI is also considered a very helpful diagnostic imaging with an advantage of differentiating lipomas from liposarcomas. This differentiation prevents from doing invasive diagnostic techniques such as biopsy before surgery [3,9].…”

Mesenteric lipoma: a rare cause of acute small bowel obstruction

“…4 The predisposing factors include obesity, diabetes mellitus, hypercholesterolemia and chromosomal translocation. 3,5 The clinical presentation of lipomas range from asymptomatic incidental finding, progressive abdominal swelling, or rarely as acute bowel obstruction. 4 These lipomas being soft and mobile masses which do not infiltrate into surrounding structures, allow passage of small bowel contents and hence, are usually asymptomatic.…”

An unusual cause of paediatric abdominal pain: Mesenteric masses accompanied with volvulus

“…Results of laboratory and radiologic studies of mesenteric masses accompanied with volvulus Mesenteric masses are rare and consist of a heterogeneous group of lesions (7,8). They can be classified as solid or cystic, benign or malignant; the benign ones are more common than malignant tumours (9). Mesenteric masses are usually discovered incidentally or during investigation of non-specific symptoms (10); these non-specific symptoms are variable, including abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting, constipation and diarrhoea.…”