Giant mesenteric lipoma in a pre-school child: a case report

Lipomas are common benign tumors, typically affecting subcutaneous tissues in the head, neck, trunk, and upper limbs, particularly in individuals over 40 years old. However, visceral involvement, such as mesenteric lipomas, is exceedingly rare, with fewer than 50 pediatric cases reported in the English literature. Mesenteric lipomas are generally asymptomatic but may present with non-specific symptoms like abdominal distension or signs of partial or complete intestinal obstruction. Imaging modalities such as abdominal ultrasound and CT scan often reveal a well-differentiated fatty tumor, but histological confirmation is essential for diagnosis and management. We present a case of a 3-year-old female who experienced progressive abdominal distension over the course of a year. Imaging identified a large lipomatous tumor, which was surgically excised. Histopathological examination confirmed the diagnosis of a mesenteric lipoma.