Omental Cyst Connected to Stomach Mimicking Acute Appendicitis: Report of a Case

Abstract

Omental cysts are rare and difficult to diagnose preoperatively. They are most frequently discovered in children or as an incidental finding during laparotomy for another condition. The omental cyst is usually asymptomatic; abdominal distention, vague abdominal pain, and vomiting are the usual clinical symptoms, and there may be a palpable mass. Complete surgical excision is the treatment of choice and prognosis is excellent if the resection is complete. We present a case of an omental cyst arising from the stomach in a 24-year-old male who presented with right lower quadrant abdominal pain and fever. A laparoscopic appendectomy was performed under the impression of acute appendicitis. During the operation, an infected omental cyst arising from the stomach was noted. We converted the laparoscopic procedure to laparotomy and the cyst was resected completely. The patient had an uneventful postoperative course and was discharged on the 7(superscript th) postoperative day.