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Published on: March 5, 2018
Mesenteric cyst(s) presenting as acute intestinal obstruction in children: Three cases and literature review
Deepa Makhija1, Hemanshi Shah1, Charu Tiwari1
1Department of Paediatric Surgery, TNMC & BYL Nair Hospital, Mumbai Central, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400008, India.
Insights
Mesenteric cysts are rare in children, often asymptomatic. Acute intestinal obstruction is an uncommon presentation, making preoperative diagnosis challenging for these pediatric abdominal masses.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Surgery
- Gastroenterology
- Abdominal Imaging
Background:
- Mesenteric cysts are rare pediatric abdominal masses.
- They typically present asymptomatically.
- Acute presentations are uncommon and difficult to diagnose preoperatively.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe the presentation and management of mesenteric cysts in children.
- To highlight the challenges in preoperative diagnosis of acute mesenteric cysts.
- To analyze the outcomes of surgical intervention for pediatric mesenteric cysts.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective observational study.
- Inclusion of three pediatric patients with mesenteric cysts presenting with acute intestinal obstruction.
- Review of patient demographics, symptoms, diagnostic investigations, surgical management, and outcomes.
Main Results:
- All three pediatric patients presented with acute abdomen and signs of intestinal obstruction.
- Surgical exploration revealed mesenteric cysts in all cases.
- Management involved cyst deroofing, marsupialization, or excision, with uneventful recovery.
Conclusions:
- Mesenteric cysts presenting as acute intestinal obstruction are rare in children.
- Preoperative diagnosis of acute mesenteric cysts in pediatric patients is challenging.
- Larger mesenteric cysts appear more prone to acute presentation.
Background And Objectives:
Mesenteric cysts are rare in paediatric age group and usually present as asymptomatic abdominal lumps. Acute presentations are uncommon and their preoperative diagnosis is difficult.
Design And Settings:
This is a retrospective observational study describing three children with mesenteric cysts who presented with symptoms and signs of acute intestinal obstruction.
Patients And Methods:
Three children with mesenteric cysts who presented with acute abdomen are described as per their age, presenting symptoms and signs, investigations, management, and outcome.
Results:
The three children presented in emergency with symptoms and signs of acute intestinal obstruction. On exploration, all had mesenteric cyst and were managed by deroofing, marsupilisation and excision. All patients recovered uneventfully.
Conclusions:
Presentation of mesenteric cyst as acute obstruction in paediatric age group is rare and preoperative diagnosis is difficult. The larger cysts are more likely to have an acute presentation.
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