Symptomatic hemorrhagic mesenteric cyst: case report

Hemorrhagic mesenteric cysts are benign tumors that originate from the mesentery. They are rare, with a reported incidence of 1 in 100 000. They are often asymptomatic but can present with abdominal pain, a palpable abdominal mass, or even intestinal obstruction. Complete surgical excision is crucial to ensure optimal recovery and minimize recurrence. We present a case of a 55-year-old male patient with a history of progressive abdominal pain over a period of 10 days. Accompanied by abdominal distension, constipation, nausea, and vomiting. Physical examination revealed tachycardia, abdominal distension, and generalized tenderness. A computed tomography scan revealed a large lobulated mass with internal mixed high attenuation, suggestive of hemorrhagic content, with signs of upper gastrointestinal obstruction. The patient underwent an emergent exploratory laparotomy. Intraoperatively, a hemorrhagic mesenteric cyst was found in the mesentery of the small bowel, originating at the duodenojejunal junction. The postoperative course was uneventful.