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Omental cyst masquerading as ascites

Bidyut Debnath1, Sumitra Kumar Biswas, Asim Kumar Mallick

  • 1Department of Surgery, Dr BC Roy Memorial Hospital for Children, Kolkata 700054.

Journal of the Indian Medical Association
|November 4, 2008
PubMed

Insights

Omental cysts can cause massive abdominal enlargement in children, mimicking ascites. Surgical exploration confirmed this rare diagnosis after medical treatments failed.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Surgery
  • Gastroenterology
  • Medical Imaging

Background:

  • Abdominal enlargement in children can be caused by various conditions, including ascites.
  • Accurate diagnosis is crucial for effective treatment and management.

Observation:

  • Two pediatric patients presented with significant generalized abdominal enlargement.
  • The clinical presentation mimicked ascites, prompting initial medical evaluations.
  • Standard medical treatments, including antituberculous drugs, were ineffective.

Findings:

  • Radiological features suggested an omental cyst.
  • Surgical exploration definitively diagnosed omental cyst in both cases.
  • This highlights the importance of considering rare diagnoses in challenging presentations.

Implications:

  • Omental cysts should be considered in the differential diagnosis of pediatric abdominal masses.
  • Early surgical consultation may be beneficial for suspected omental cysts.
  • This case series contributes to understanding the diagnostic challenges of omental cysts in children.

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