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A giant lymphatic cyst of the transverse colon mesentery

Tayyaba Batool1, Soofia Ahmed, Jamshed Akhtar

  • 1Department of Pediatric Surgery, National Institute of Child Health Karachi, Pakistan.

APSP Journal of Case Reports
|September 7, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Giant lymphatic cysts of the mesentery are rare in children. This case highlights a large mesenteric lymphatic cyst causing abdominal distension in a young girl, requiring surgical drainage.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Surgery
  • Gastroenterology
  • Medical Imaging

Background:

  • Mesenteric cysts are uncommon in pediatric patients.
  • Giant lymphatic cysts of the mesentery are particularly rare, with few documented cases.
  • Early diagnosis and management are crucial for pediatric abdominal masses.

Observation:

  • A six-year-old female presented with a two-year history of vague abdominal pain and distension.
  • Imaging revealed a large cystic mass within the abdomen.
  • Surgical exploration identified a giant lymphatic cyst in the mesentery of the transverse colon.

Findings:

  • The unilocular cyst contained over 1500 ml of milky fluid, consistent with chyle.
  • The cyst was located between the leaves of the mesentery of the transverse colon.
  • Histopathological examination confirmed a lymphatic origin.

Implications:

  • This case underscores the importance of considering rare mesenteric pathologies in pediatric patients with chronic abdominal symptoms.
  • Potential etiologies include trauma or congenital malformations of mesenteric lymphatics.
  • Prompt surgical intervention is necessary for symptomatic giant mesenteric lymphatic cysts.

Keywords:
Abdominal massLymphatic cystLymphatic malformationMesenteric cyst

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