Abdomen' a pandora's box: Rare case of mesentric cyst in newborn

Abstract

Mesenteric cysts are documented as a rare entity in pediatric population. They are considered as benign intra-abdominal tumors with an unknown etiology. Symptoms are not specific and knowledge of such condition is essential in order to establish a proper management. To get a good clinical assessment, I have described the clinical, radiological and operative findings. My patient, day one of life, whose antenatal scan showed signs of Bowel Atresia was born of a full term LSCS, cried immediately after birth, 3.2kg. Baby was stable and active, but abdominal distension was present at birth, baby passed urine within 24 hours, Stool not passed. A preoperative diagnosis was made basing on imaging. Thus, abdominal ultrasonography was performed in this cases and showed a cystic abdominal mass. The cystic nature of the mass, its margins and its extension were better described on tomographic images. The mesenteric cyst was completely and successfully removed in our case by an exploratory Laparotomy. The histopathological report confirmed the diagnosis and showed a single, oval cyst with a shiny surface and congested blood vessels, with flattened columnar epithelial lining, without any defined muscular layer or cellular atypia and without any evidence of malignancy. The child was evaluated and was stable, was accepting breastfeeding post-operatively and has come for follow-up. No recurrence was noted in our patient during the follow-up period. It is known that clinical features are not specific of such anomaly but once the diagnosis is made, the complete surgical removal of the cyst remains the treatment of choice with excellent outcomes.