Abstract

The aim of this paper is to increase the awareness about mesenteric cysts in patients with abdominal pain and abdominal mass. Cystic lymphangioma is an uncommon benign mesenteric tumor derived from mesenteric lymphatic vessels. It is usually asymptomatic in 77 % of the cases admitted with palpable masses in pediatric clinics. Symptomatic mesenteric cysts account for only 1/100.000, and 1/20.000 of acute admissions of adult, and pediatric patients, respectively. Herein in with a brief of literature review, we describe a 3-year-old boy who was admitted to the department of pediatric surgery because of abdominal pain and physical examination revealed a palpable abdominal mass. Abdominal ultrasound and contrast- enhanced CT scan were performed preoperatively but they could not accurately determine the nature of the tumor. Laparotomy and total excision of the mass with adjacent small bowel resection were performed. Pathology revealed cystic lymphangioma of the small bowel mesentery. The patient is doing well 20 months after surgery. Mesenteric cystic lymphangioma is a very rare entity and should be kept in mind in the differential diagnosis of the patient with abdominal painful mass.