English

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Cystic lesions of the mesentery are uncommon lesions which are infrequently diagnosed prior to surgery. They may be located anywhere in gastrointestinal tract, although they are most often found in small bowel mesentery. Mesenteric and omental cysts are unique for their diverse clinical presentation, etiology, radiological features and pathological characteristics. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To present a series of patients with mesenteric and omental cysts, their clinical presentation, gross & histopathology with special emphasis on new updated classification proposed by Marc de Perrot in 2000. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 5376 surgical specimens in Paediatric Referral Hospital , Hyderabad from June 2003 to May 2012 of which 55 children presented with mesenteric and omental cysts, which were prospectively and retrospectively evaluated. Gross, radiologic images and histopathological sections were reviewed to categorize and classify, to determine their relationship to mesentery and intestines. RESULTS: The study group comprised of 39 boys and 16 girls with an age range of 3 days to 7 years. There was male predominance with M: F=2.4:1. CONCLUSION: Mesenteric and omental cysts in children are a rare benign lesions but present with huge masses and acute symptoms very early in their lives. Preoperative diagnosis and localization are very difficult. Histopathological classification of mesenteric and omental cysts has an advantage of identifying epithelial lining and distinguishing malignant masses that possess a cystic appearance and aid in post-operative chemotherapy or radiotherapy.