Omental Cyst – Rare Cause of Abdominal Pain in a 7-Year-Old Child: A Case Report

• Published in: GE Portuguese journal of gastroenterology Vol. 28; no. 3; pp. 202 - 206
• Main Authors: Sayeed, Maimuna, Benzamin, Md, Akter, Sharmin, Mazumder, Md. Wahiduzzaman, Karim, A.S.M. Bazlul, Dey, Bishnu Pada
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Basel, Switzerland S. Karger AG 01.04.2021; Sociedade Portuguesa de Gastrenterologia; Karger Publishers
• Subjects: Abdomen; abdominal pain in children; Ascites; Case reports; Clinical Case Study; Cysts; Gastroenterology; GASTROENTEROLOGY & HEPATOLOGY; Granulomas; Laparotomy; Medical imaging; mesenteric cyst in children; omental cyst in children; Pain; Pediatrics; Tuberculosis; Bangladesh; Mesenteric cyst in children; Abdominal pain in children; Omental cyst in children; Quisto epiploico; Dor; Ecografia; Dor abdominal; Cirurgia
• ISSN: 2341-4545; 2387-1954
• DOI: 10.1159/000510022

Introduction: Abdominal pain is a common complaint in children. In most cases it may be functional. Among all organic causes, an abdominal cyst of omental or mesenteric origin is an uncommon etiology. Case Presentation: A 7-year-old girl presented with a short history of abdominal pain for 1 month associated with gradual abdominal distention. Physical examination revealed a large oval palpable firm, non-tender mass extending almost the whole abdomen. Imaging studies were suggestive of an intra-abdominal cyst, and the diagnosis was confirmed after exploratory laparotomy. The patient was managed surgically by enucleation of the cyst. Conclusion: Omental cysts are a rare benign condition, but should be considered as a diagnostic hypothesis in children with abdominal pain with or without a mass. It is difficult to diagnose an omental/mesenteric cyst clinically. A proper imaging study can guide the diagnosis. After confirming the diagnosis, the main treatment would be surgical excision.