Giant Mesenteric Cyst: A Case Series

Mesenteric cysts are rare benign intra-abdominal lesions that can present with a wide spectrum of clinical manifestations. They are most commonly located within the mesentery of the small intestine and are less frequently found in the mesocolon. Because their clinical presentation varies according to the size and location of the cyst, symptoms are often nonspecific, making diagnosis challenging.

We report two pediatric cases of mesenteric cysts. The first case involved a 10-month-old male infant who presented with abdominal distension and intermittent non-bilious vomiting. The second case involved a 5-year-old boy who presented with severe abdominal distension caused by a large intra-abdominal mass and was subsequently referred to the Pediatric Surgery Department. Following clinical evaluation and preoperative investigations, both patients were diagnosed with mesenteric cysts and underwent surgical excision. The resected cysts were submitted for histopathological examination, which confirmed the diagnosis. Both patients had an uneventful postoperative recovery, with no complications or recurrence observed during follow-up.

Mesenteric cysts are exceedingly rare, with an estimated incidence of approximately 1 per 250,000 hospital admissions. They may occur at any age but are uncommon in children. Most mesenteric cysts remain asymptomatic and are discovered incidentally during radiological investigations or surgical procedures. Clinical symptoms typically develop when the cyst enlarges sufficiently to cause compression of adjacent structures, resulting in abdominal distension, pain, vomiting, or intestinal obstruction.

We present two pediatric cases of mesenteric cysts to highlight the importance of considering this rare entity in the differential diagnosis of abdominal masses and distension in children. Early diagnosis and complete surgical excision remain the cornerstone of successful treatment and are associated with excellent outcomes.