Mesenteric cyst as a rare cause of acute abdomen in a young adult: A case report

Mesenteric cyst

Abstract

Mesenteric cysts are uncommon intra-abdominal lesions that are often overlooked or only briefly noted in medical textbooks. Mesenteric cysts comprise a diverse group of intra-abdominal lesions, defined by cystic structures that develop within the mesentery. This term encompasses a broad spectrum of pathological entities, including lymphangiomas (both benign and malignant), enteric duplication cysts, dermoid cysts, and pseudocysts. Mesenteric cysts are frequently asymptomatic and are most often discovered incidentally during routine clinical examination or radiologic assessment. In uncommon instances, they may present with acute abdominal symptoms resulting from complications such as infection, hemorrhage, torsion, rupture, or intestinal obstruction. Here, we describe a rare case of intestinal obstruction secondary to a mesenteric cyst in a healthy 24-year-old male. The patient underwent exploratory laparotomy, followed by segmental small bowel resection and primary anastomosis. The patient’s postoperative recovery proceeded without complication. Oral intake was resumed on day three, and the patient was discharged on day seven in stable condition. Follow-up assessments at one and three months revealed no complications. The diagnosis of a mesenteric cyst was confirmed via histopathological analysis. Mesenteric cysts are infrequently documented in the literature, and cases presenting with intestinal obstruction are even more uncommon. The diagnostic and therapeutic approach to mesenteric cysts should be individualized, taking into account the specific clinical features of each patient.