Mesenteric Lipoma with Volvulus: A Rare Cause of Acute Abdomen in a Child

Lipoma is benign tumor of mature fat cells and is reported to develop anywhere in the body, e.g. trunk and extremities; however, lipoma in the mesentery of gut is rare, particularly in children. Mesenteric lipomas may be asymptomatic or may present with acute abdomen by leading to volvulus of gut. We report a 6-year female with intestinal obstruction. Exploratory laparotomy revealed a large mesenteric lipoma in the mesentery of small bowel causing volvulus of ileum. Lipoma was excised and postoperative recovery remained uneventful both in the hospital and on subsequent follow up. We believe mesenteric lipoma should be considered as a cause of volvulus and in differential diagnosis of acute abdomen in children. Key Words:  Mesentery, Lipoma, Volvulus, Ileum, Intestinal obstruction.