Mesenteric fibromatosis (desmoid tumour) - a rare case report

Mesenteric Fibromatosis (MF) is a proliferative fibroblastic lesion of small intestinal mesentery. It constitutes 8% of all desmoid tumours, which represent 0.03% of all neoplasm. It is histologically benign but may invade locally and recur after excision. It occurs sporadically or in association with Familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) mutation as a component of Gardner's syndrome. The presenting features of MF are asymptomatic abdominal mass, abdominal discomfort or pain, bowel or ureteral obstruction, intestinal perforation, fistula, functional impairment of ileoanal anastomosis following colectomy in FAP cases. A 29-year-old male presented with a swelling on the right side of the umbilicus for six months and dull aching pain for two months. Fine needle aspiration cytology, ultrasonography, contrast enhanced computerized tomography findings were inconclusive. After Exploratory laparotomy, a mass approx 6x5x4 cm in ileal mesentery was identified and excised along with 20cm of ileum. End to end anastomosis was done and specimen was sent for histopathology which confirmed the diagnosis of MF. Considering the rarity of this tumour and difficulties in diagnostic and therapeutic ambit, we believe it is justified to describe this case which came to our observation.