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Intra-abdominal lymphatic cysts in children
Insights
Intra-abdominal lymphatic cysts in children are rare, accounting for 0.5% of pediatric surgical admissions. Surgical excision is effective, with no reported mortality or morbidity in this study.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Surgery
- Gastrointestinal Surgery
- Surgical Oncology
Background:
- Intra-abdominal lymphatic cysts are uncommon pediatric surgical conditions.
- These lesions represent a significant portion of intra-abdominal cystic pathologies in children.
Purpose of the Study:
- To report surgical outcomes for pediatric intra-abdominal lymphatic cysts.
- To highlight diagnostic challenges and management strategies for these rare entities.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective case series of ten pediatric patients operated for intra-abdominal lymphatic cysts over 8 years.
- Analysis of cyst location, presentation, diagnostic accuracy, and surgical techniques.
Main Results:
- Cysts occurred in the mesentery (50%), omentum (30%), and unusual sites (20%).
- Two cases presented as surgical emergencies; three were misdiagnosed as tuberculous ascites.
- Surgical management included complete excision or tube marsupialization, with no mortality or morbidity.
Conclusions:
- Intra-abdominal lymphatic cysts require prompt surgical intervention.
- Accurate preoperative diagnosis is crucial to avoid delayed treatment and complications.
Abstract:
Ten children with intra abdominal lymphatic cysts operated in the last 8 years are reported. They formed 0.50% of all pediatric surgical admissions and 33.3% of all intra-abdominal cystic lesions. The mean age was 5 1/2 years and the male-female ratio was 1:1. Half the cysts were in the mesentery and 30% in the omentum. The other 2 cysts were located at unusual sites. Two children having mesenteric cysts presented as abdominal emergencies. Three of them were wrongly diagnosed and treated for tuberculous ascites before laparotomy. Four mesenteric cysts were excised along with the adjoining intestinal segment, and one was drained by tube marsupialisation. All 3 omental cysts and the two cysts at unusual sites were excised in toto. There was no mortality or morbidity.