Ileal Chylolymphatic Mesenteric Cyst in a 4-year-old Child

Mesenteric cysts are rare, usually asymptomatic intra-abdominal benign cystic lesions, located in gastrointestinal tract mesentery. Their incidence is estimated about 1/20,000 in the pediatric age group with a male-to-female ratio of 1:2. Here, we report a case of ileal chylolymphatic mesenteric cyst in a 4-year-old male child. A 4-year-old male child presented to the outpatient department with a history of on-and-off abdominal pain and vomiting for the last 2 years. Ultrasound revealed a well-defined anechoic area measuring approximately 68 mm x 52 mm in the lower abdomen and pelvis. Exploratory laparotomy was performed and excised cyst with an attached part of the ileum was sent for histopathology. Correlating histology with immunohistochemical findings, the final diagnosis of ileal chylolymphatic type mesenteric cyst was considered. Mesenteric cysts should be kept as a differential diagnosis of intra-abdominal and pelvic cystic lesions. Although rare, awareness of this entity is necessary for early and prompt diagnosis as well as management, particularly in patients of the pediatric age group.